Lakes, ponds and streams provide a variety of beneficial recreational and economic uses. Fishing, swimming, and providing wildlife habitat; added landscape aesthetics and increased property values; water for livestock and irrigation; these are just a few of the benefits returned to Nebraskans.

A publication from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provides basic information on establishing and maintaining a pond. The Nebraska Pond Guide will help landowners determine the proper site location, set up and manage a quality fishery, and be successful at dealing with general maintenance that is part of keeping a healthy, viable pond.

Water quality protection practices properly implemented on the landscape can reduce or eliminate overland runoff water and associated pollutants which will enter lakes, ponds and streams.

Reducing the amount of nutrients such as phosphorus that enter a water body, is the most important step toward reducing toxic algae in lakes and ponds. Like many agriculturally dominated states, Nebraska waters have elevated nutrient levels and high potential for toxic algae outbreaks; thus the importance of water quality testing cannot be overstated. Testing is not only important to properly identify current or potential issues, but also to establish background data on a water body to which future tests can be compared. Water quality test data allows owners, users, and managers to make informed decisions regarding management of an individual lake, pond, or stream. Several Nebraska laboratories provide water testing services, although each offers different analysis options. 

In some cases shoreline, stream bank and/or lake restoration is the best option to sustain long term beneficial use of the lake, pond or stream.

Information presented within the Lakes, Ponds & Streams section of this Water Web site has been reviewed by University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lake, Pond and Stream Protection Team members Tom Franti, David Shelton, Steve Tonn and Charlie Wortmann.