Within Chester County an estimated 3,000 ponds dot the landscape ranging in functions from recreational fishing to water supplies for livestock to stormwater management to aesthetic enhancement.  A recent collaborative study led by West Chester University described some of the principle factors that affect the health of the ponds within the County and outlined some techniques to assist owners in managing their ponds.    The study includes two reports and a summary brochure: Volume 1: Management Strategies for the Small Pond Owner, and Volume 2: The Limnology of Small Ponds
Volume 1: Management Strategies for the Small Pond Owner {vol1-cover}	Volume 2: The Limnology of Small Ponds {vol2-cover}
Managing Small Ponds Brochure Managing Small Ponds (2 pages, 11x17 page size) Resources for Pond Management
While managing a pond can seem like a daunting task, there are numerous resources and pond management professionals that can provide guidance to property owners and managers.
Penn State Cooperative Extension and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission jointly maintain a very complete website with access to publications on a wide range of pond management topics. Contact the North American Lake Management Society and Pennsylvania Lake Management Society to find out about their publications, upcoming meetings and professional consultants.  The United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services in Pennsylvania provides both advice and contract services for goose management. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has numerous resources on pond, wetland, water resources and riparian buffer management.