Describe the Issue or Situation

            Pond owners throughout the state of Kentucky have a delicate balance of water quality, vegetation, and sustaining fish health. Whether the pond is used for aquaculture production, recreation, livestock, or irrigation, any body of water has the potential to be overrun with invasive and non-invasive vegetation or unsuitable water quality for fish health and use. From September 2024-June 2025, 17 direct contacts were made to the KSU Aquaculture Extension from pond owners as well as county agents across 14 counties in Kentucky. The most common issues include the need for pond liming and control of vegetation. In these instances, the owner commonly sends in a water sample to complete water quality analysis (pH, hardness, and alkalinity). For aquatic vegetation management the owner can send us a sample of the plant, email photos, or call with a description. At least 10 contacts were made from pond owners concerning aquatic plants including algae, invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, native pondweeds, and alligator weed. Management of these plants can be difficult, treatment recommendations have been made with multiple different pesticides such as copper sulfate, Cutrine, Fluridone, Diquat, Imazapyr, Aquathol and Hydrothol. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

            Phone, email, and in person recommendations were made to the landowners. In follow-up questions, it seems that at least 75% of the pond owners or stakeholders were successful in treating the issue with our recommendations. Collaborations with the county agents in 14 counties were imperative in this endeavor. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

            Counties reached were: Johnson, Pike, Graves, Lewis, Caldwell, Montgomery, Todd, Johnson, Jefferson, Spencer, Webster Woodford, Breckinridge, Muhlenberg, and Calloway. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

At least 75% of the pond owners or stakeholders were successful in treating the issue with our recommendations, gathering information via email and phone calls, some with no response. The outcome of these contacts shows the public’s desire to have healthy, clean ponds to enjoy. Many people’s livelihoods depend on these ponds as an income source (aquaculture, livestock, irrigation) and recreation.