Constructing a Pond: Educating the Public With Aquaculture in Georgia - Essay Sample

Introduction

Pond construction is a simple task as long as the right materials and personnel are in place. An efficient pond construction often requires a brilliant design and layout. For this project, I will construct a pond and place it on the Statesboro Georgia natural resource building. This pond will be used to educate the faculty staff, students, and the public about the nutritional value and methods of aquaculture. The construction of the fish pond will be completed during summer so that it can be used for stocking. After completion, the pond will be filled with different species of fish, including Tilapia and Carps that will be used to educate the staff and students of Ogeechee Technical College about the fish culture.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Figure 1

Design of a Fish Pond

Figure 2

Location of the Fish Pond

Source: Google Maps

Use of the Pond

The reason for constructing the fish pond at Ogeechee Technical College will be to educate the faculty staff, students, and the public about the nutritional value and methods of aquaculture. The students, staff and public will also be using the pond to understand the significance of fish production and consumption. In addition, the principal investigators and other experts will use the pond to train college students and the staff regarding fish nutrition, farming activities, and pond measurements. Their training will revolve around the development of fish pond, pond preparation, pond depth management, watercolor, species choice, feeding, and harvesting of fish. Nutritional education, including preparation and eating of fish, will also be included in the program.

Site

Site selection is one of the significant factors that I considered before designing my fish pond. Among the factors to consider in the site include climate, water quality, water supply, soil fertility, land, infrastructure, and environment. I placed my fish pond next to Statesboro Georgia natural resource building because the climate in the area is favorable for the fish. This area has enough precipitation to prevent excessive water loss from the pond. The region is also characterized by standard water temperatures and solar radiation that enhances the optimal growth of young fish. This site also has a constant supply of clean, oxygenated water with low salinity. Additionally, the Statesboro Georgia natural resource building is accessible by road to reach the market for quick disposal of fish. The proximity of the site to the road also increases the accessibility of feed and construction material. Most importantly, the area is free from pollution, domestic and industrial wastes, as well as other harmful activities that may endanger the fish.

Construction and Equipment Needs

The pond will be constructed using common household and garden tools. The following materials will be needed to prepare the pond site: Rope or garden hose, square spade, wheelbarrow, level, rake, a long, straight board to span the length and width of the pond, rounded shovel, chalk or spray paint, measuring tape, and fine sand. To construct the pond, the following materials will be needed: underlayment, bricks or heavy rocks, filter, pump, pond liner, tubing, pipes and fittings, water, and equipment to finish the edge of the pond.

Safety Needs

Fish pond safety will be observed before, during, and after construction not only to prevent injuries or drownings but also to prevent the death of fish as a result of exposure to harmful substances. Before construction, it will be imperative to be familiar with the state laws on impounding water coupled with the design, construction, and operation of a fish pond. Complying with these laws will be key since it will ensure that the constructed fish pond meets the standard requirements.

During construction, it will be imperative to take safety measures like removing all undesirable trees, brush, and stumps, as well as junk machinery and wastes that might contaminate the pond. Identifying and eliminating possible sources of contamination like heavy metals, chemicals, and dangerous microorganisms from the site will also be necessary. After construction, life-saving devices like ring buoys, planks, ropes, and long poles will be placed near the pond to facilitate rescue operations in the case of drowning.

For the safety of fish, it will be essential to remove any material that attracts livestock near the pond. Such materials include rubbish, food, and snails, which host parasites. Removing these attractions and disallowing livestock from accessing the fish pond will assist in preventing contamination of water, pond site, and fish. Placing scary items like scarecrow will keep animals out of the site.

While handling fish, students, staff, and the public will be advised to wear appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent contamination of fish by pathogens, chemicals, and other toxins in the environment. The pond will also be kept at cool temperatures by establishing an inlet and outlet. This safety measure will reduce the growth of microorganisms that can damage the fish.

Long Term Care Needs

Long-term care needs will involve building inlet and outlet structures in the fish pond. Inlet structures are constructed to control the flow of water into the pond at all times. In contrast, outlet structures are built to keep the surface of the water in the pond at the optimum level and to allow for the complete draining of the pond. Both inlet and outlet structures will be needed to preserve the pond for an extended period. In particular, they will be required to prevent the death of fish by allowing the intake of fresh water into the pond and removal of contaminated water. By doing so, they prevent the death of fish caused by harmful substances in the water. Additionally, the inlet and outlet structures will keep the pond at cool temperatures. These will reduce the growth of microorganisms that can damage the fish.

Fish Species

The fish pond will be filled with Carps and Tilapia of different species. The Carp species will include common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), rohu (Labeo rohita) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Species of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) will also be added to the pond.

Problem and Solution

The problem I may encounter is pond leaking. Large cracks will likely to appear when the pond is drained and dried. These cracks will cause the pond to leak when filled with water. This problem puts the lives of fish at risk when the leaks lead to the draining of the pond. Probably, the common cause of a leaky pond is faulty construction at the bottom. Proper construction of the pond from the start helps prevent this issue. Leaks may also occur around the banks of the fish pond due to muskrat holes or tree roots. These leaks will be prevented by discouraging muskrats and removing trees from the pond dam.

Conclusion

The fish pons will be constructed and placed on construct a pond and put it on the Statesboro Georgia natural resource building. It will be used to educate the faculty staff, students, and the public about the nutritional value and methods of aquaculture. Species of Tilapia and Carps will be planted on the pond.