Natural Fresh Water Ponds

Question
QUESTION: I am interested in buying a house which has two fresh water ponds (not too big).  I worry about the mosquitoes and Frogs.  Is there a way for me to get rid of the ponds?  sounds cruel, but I would only want them if I could ice skate on them.  Thanks

ANSWER: Chris,

I really need a little more information.  How big is "not too big"?  Probably the only way to get rid of the ponds is to fill them in.  If they are big enough to potentially skate on, then it's going to take a lot of dirt to fill them in.  If they have fish in them, there shouldn't be any problem with mosquitoes.  The frogs, I can't really help you with.  In my business, we design ponds to ATTRACT frogs.

Sorry I couldn't be more help,

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: forgot to ask.  How can I tell if they are man-made ponds or natural.   I don't think I would be able to fill in a Natural pond, correct?

Answer
Chris,

If there is a levee or dam that holds back the water, then it is probably man made.  These are usually made by using dirt from the basin of the pond to make it deeper and to form the levee.  To get rid of the pond, you'll have to breech the levee and let all the water out that you can, then push the dirt from the levee back into the hole where the pond was.

Hope this helps,

John