New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Env - Department of Environmental Services
Subtitle Env-Wt - Wetlands Programs
Chapter Env-Wt 500 - PROJECT-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Part Env-Wt 519 - PONDS
Section Env-Wt 519.05 - Design Requirements for Ponds

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Env-Wt 519.05

Current through Register No. 13, March 27, 2025

In addition to meeting applicable design requirements established in Env-Wt 300, the following design requirements shall apply to a pond construction project:

(a) Wildlife ponds shall be designed to support wildlife and meet the criteria in Env-Wt 519.06;

(b) Fire ponds shall be designed to provide fire protection and include the following:

(1) A letter from the municipal fire chief stating the justification for the fire pond;

(2) The location of the dry hydrant;

(3) Access for dry hydrant connection intake use and maintenance;

(4) The location and access point for pond maintenance; and

(5) How the design will meet the fire protection goals;

(c) Agriculture ponds shall be designed to provide water for livestock, irrigate crops, or raise fish for commercial sale and include the following:

(1) How the design meets the criteria for minimum impact agriculture projects in Env-Wt 522.06(a); and

(2) Whether the pond is located within a wet meadow wetland;

(d) Fish ponds shall be designed to:

(1) Support native fish populations;

(2) Contain deep areas with a minimum of 8 to 10 feet in at least 25% to 50% of the pond area;

(3) For ponds supporting cold water species such as trout, maintain cool water temperatures year round and may require more than 10 feet of water depth; and

(4) Comply with NHF&G stocking rules;

(e) Residential, commercial, and industrial ponds shall be designed based on proposed purpose and be reviewed holistically with the criteria in Env-Wt 524;

(f) Pond inlets and outlets shall be sited and stabilized to prevent adverse impacts to adjacent wetlands and surface waters;

(g) Impoundments shall be designed to avoid impacts to surface elevation; and

(h) All ponds shall be designed to protect water quality in accordance with Env-Wt 307.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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