Book Sections

How to help amphibians Speak Out Community Green Plans Wetland Restoration
HELP! - Problems and concerns brought to our attention through letters from homeowners.
Wetland tales / Literature
Word Games
Art Activities
Science Activities
Additional Activities

Photo Gallery I Photo Gallery II
Glossary
Appendix

Background information

Where to build your pond    -   Toad ponds    -   Woodland ponds    -   Farm ponds How big and how deep Shape Concrete, fiberglass or clay ponds?

Flexible pond liners Digging your pond Overflow Water source Maintenance The Mitchell Pond

How to attract amphibians to your pond    -   Norway Maple: threat to natural areas?    -   Other amphibian shelters How to attract other wildlife to your backyard    -   Metro Toronto Zoo bat box programme

Shape

In most instances people create very unusual shapes when they start their first pond. You should confine these shapes to crescents or ovals. Homeowners should stay away from too many curves and square corners because it's difficult to fold most liners into unusual shapes, and water ends up stagnating in the convolutes.

A shallow 10-18 cm deep shoreline or shelf provides growing areas for emergent plants and spawning areas for egg laying. Alternating shoreline depths allows you to create different habitats including a wet meadow, a rock garden and a cattail area. In winter the shallow bank will allow ice to expand out of your pond so damage does not occur to the liner.

Ponds should not be built with an unusual shape as it will decrease water circulation in sections of the pond. Stagnant water is prime habitat for mosquitoes. Unusual pond shapes also makes it difficult to install liners.