Land Management Projects
Dry Pond Development
Period: August 1, 2004 - April 15, 2010
Contact: Darby Niswonger
Organization: Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Funding Source: Prairie Fork Trust
Objectives: Currently we are renovating and modifying several ponds throughout Prairie Fork Conservation Area to better mimic the natural hydrological cycles of the Area. This project involves developing “dry-ponds” that catch run-off from the Prairie Fork landscape and slowly release it into the Prairie Fork Creek. This practice is intended to mimic the role native prairie and savanna plants would have played when they locked up run-off in their roots and the soil and slowly percolate it through “seeps” and “springs.” By mimicking the natural hydrological cycles we are hoping to provide better habitat for fish and wildlife that use Prairie Fork Creek, including the state threatened Blacknose Shiner (Notropis heterolepis).