Seasonal Pond Management

Course Description:

In this online, asynchronous course, you will be provided with information about how to manage recreational ponds in South Carolina. This course will focus on seasonally based management strategies including prevention in the spring, algal blooms and growth in the summer, and winter pond preparation in the fall. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and describe basic land-based actions that can be taken to maintain a healthy pond.
• Identify and describe basic in-pond actions that can be taken to maintain a healthy pond. 
• Identify key water quality parameters and explain how to manage them.
• Identify common types of algae found in freshwater ponds.
• Identify types of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and understand factors that influence HAB occurrence.
• Explain how to collect and submit an algae sample to Clemson.
• Describe the response options for protecting human, pet, and livestock health from potentially toxic algal blooms.
• Recall South Carolina’s agency and regulatory actions related to HABs.
• Identify and describe best management practices for erosion prevention and sediment control upstream of a pond.
• Identify and describe concepts for managing fish and nuisance wildlife.
• Identify and describe the basics of dam inspection, water aeration/circulation, and pond dredging.

Course Topics:

This course includes three modules on the following topics:

1. Land-Based Actions for Maintaining a Health Pond
2. In-Pond Actions for Maintaining a Healthy Pond
3. Understanding and Managing Water Quality
4. Understanding Algae
5. Harmful Algal Blooms
6. Erosion Prevention, Water Aeration/Circulation, and Dredging
7. Fish and Nuisance Wildlife Management 

Course Requirements:

To successfully complete this course and earn a certificate of completion, participants must fully watch all video presentations and submit the corresponding knowledge checks. 

Technical Requirements:

To participate fully in this course, you will need:

• An active email address for the individual participating in the course.
• A desktop computer or laptop (recommended): Canvas is available on mobile devices, but some content may appear differently.
• Access to a high-speed internet connection.
• A web browser compatible with Canvas: Chrome and Firefox are recommended.
• Headphones or speakers (closed captioning also available).
• Computer skills including Internet browsing, using email, typing, downloading files, and basic troubleshooting.

Need Help?

• If you need help accessing or registering for a course, please contact Clemson Online at onlineplus@clemson.edu.
• Our support email is monitored Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:30. If you contact us in the evening or on the weekend, we will help you during the next business day.
• Please do not contact CCIT regarding CPE courses. Please reach out to Clemson Online so that we can assist you.
• Using Bulk Purchase? Please inform those you purchase seats for. They will receive an email invitation immediately upon enrollment. For more help, read about bulk enrollments in Catalog.