![Dredging a pond by hand](https://cdn2.cdnme.se/5447227/9-3/12_64e61dfbddf2b3652190246e.png)
If nothing else, record the depth of various parts of the pond during construction to establish baseline measurements. It’s important to measure the original topography of the pond with sonar or level rods immediately after it’s built to keep a record of the desired depth.
![dredging a pond by hand dredging a pond by hand](http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/thedredgingofwoodlakepond-during-019.jpg)
Keeping trash and debris off of the surface of the water and out of the muck at the bottom is also essential for a healthy, attractive, clog-free retention pond.
![dredging a pond by hand dredging a pond by hand](https://dfwurbanwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/thedredgingofwoodlakepond-equipment-001.jpg)
This increases the chances that a heavy rainfall will overwhelm its holding capacity and flood the surrounding area. Allowing silt to build up reduces the pond’s total volume rapidly.
![dredging a pond by hand dredging a pond by hand](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Yj3zvcmlVw/XGrGcwuIEfI/AAAAAAAAo1c/yNbIYi8ruac24nDp4ykydNDw7GMP1LjpwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3182-786697.jpg)
Oversized and less used ponds may be able to stretch out the dredging procedures to once every few years, but active and flood-prone ponds definitely need at least an annual cleaning. Retention ponds need cleaning and plant trimming every few months, but they also need a full dredging for silt removal at least once every year.
![Dredging a pond by hand](https://cdn2.cdnme.se/5447227/9-3/12_64e61dfbddf2b3652190246e.png)