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Puddle
Pond Credits
A puddle pond is a
small pond that has heavy vegetation, with extensive buffer strips.
Generally shallow (<3 feet) with an irregular, gentle sloping
shoreline.

Wildlife water
holes are an important habitat component for a variety of
wildlife.
They provide drinking water for many
species including bats, wild turkeys and white-tailed deer and also
serve as breeding habitat for many amphibians. Water holes come in a
variety of shapes, sizes and locations. A wildlife water hole may be
a naturally occurring ridgetop pond, a depression in a field or even
a road-rut on an abandoned logging road. Just as is the case with
other habitat components, different types of wildlife benefit from
different types of water holes. Some pond breeding amphibians (a
variety of frogs, toads, and salamanders) select ephemeral water
holes that dry up for at least part of the year because these ponds
do not contain fish and other predators that eat amphibian eggs and
young. Others seem to do well in permanent water holes that are
needed for drinking water sources.
Existing wetlands
are usually self-sustaining ecosystems which provide fish and
wildlife habitat, flood, water quality and shoreline protection as
well as aesthetics and recreational opportunities. These systems
should not be disturbed or altered to create deep water ponds for
fishing or stormwater detention. Wildlife ponds can be constructed
in an upland area that is adjacent to existing wetlands to avoid
impacting these fragile ecosystems. Occasionally, wildlife ponds
that are shallow (less than 5 feet deep) and gentle sloping (less
than 1:8 slide slopes) may be built in lower quality wetlands where
the construction will enhance the water quality and wildlife values
of the wetland.
Waterfowl
and other wildlife may be attracted to ponds
which
have an ample food supply and enough surrounding
vegetation
to provide some protection. Puddle ducks,
such as
mallards
and blackducks, prefer shallow waters for feeding.
Areas
with water between 6 inches and three feet deep are
needed to
grow the aquatic plants that wild birds need.
Aquatic
plants should have a 50:50 ratio to open water for
optimal
waterfowl habitat. Specific plants, such as burreeds,
wild
rice, arrowhead and sago pondweed, are desirable for
attracting
certain species of wildlife.
Waterfowl and other
wildlife may be attracted to ponds which have an ample food supply
and enough surrounding vegetation to provide some protection. Puddle
ducks, such as mallards and blackducks, prefer shallow waters for
feeding. Areas with water between 6 inches and three feet deep
areneeded to grow the aquatic plants that wild birds need. Aquatic
plants should have a 50:50 ratio to open water for optimal waterfowl
habitat. Specific plants, such as burreeds, wild rice, arrowhead and
sago pondweed, are desirable for attracting certain species of
wildlife.
Buffer habitat (e.g. ground nesting
birds/waterfowl) and maintenance of the ability of the wetland/pond
to remain healthy. If the perimeter is only partly protected,
contaminated surface flows may enter directly through any gaps. Land
use practices (tillage, application of nutrients, pesticides etc.)
on lands adjacent to wetlands and ponds also have a critical role to
play in determining the water quality. A buffer strip an be
effective in filtering out sediments and other contaminants carried
in runoff before they reach a wetland or wildlife pond. Surface
water quality can also have an impact on
quality.
Exploitative or destructive use
(poor stewardship) of a wetland will limit its benefits and could
cause permanent damage. Wisely managed, the resources of a wetland
How Puddle Pond Credits Are Used
When you purchase a Meadow Planting Credit, you are investing into your and your children's future. The money is used to assist farmers and landowners to plan, restore and impliment a Meadow Planting project. The benefits are numerous and the return on investment is priceless.
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