Limnological Observations on Some Flint Hills Farm Ponds

Abstract

The number of farm ponds in Kansas is increasing each year. These ponds serve primarily as a source of water for farm livestock, however, many such ponds also have potentials for sport fishing and other recreation. Consequently a research program on the biology of farm ponds was inaugurated in the summer of 1953. Primary aims were to determine the production in pounds of fish that might be expected from an acre of average Kansas impounded water; to test the suitability of various species and species combinations of fishes; and to study the growth and suitability of channel catfish to farm pond conditions. Limnological studies resulted from the primary interest in fish production. Surveys of 40 ponds within a 30-mile radius of Manhattan were made, 16 of which were chosen originally as potentially suitable for fish and for intensive limnological studies. The ponds varied from 6 to 20 feet deep when full, but none contained more than 14 feet of water during 1955. The three summer months of 1955 were unusual in the three counties where the ponds are located. Average mean temperature for June was 70.90 F. or 3.80 F. less than average, for July 84.40 F. or 4.20 F. above average and for August 80.60 F. or 2.10 F. above average. For the entire three months the mean temperature averaged only 0.90 F. above average. The average rainfall for the three summer months in this area is 12.3 inches. Four weather stations in the area where the ponds are located reported from 5.23 to 8.05 inches of rainfall during the summer months or 41 per cent to 66 per cent of average. Most of the data presented in this paper were obtained during this period of low rainfall and almost average temperature.