Illustrated Encyclopedia a Winner

In the past 25 years, Tim Matson has built and maintained ponds and wetlands near his home in Strafford, VT. But through his writing, Matson’s aquaculture work transcends the bounds of New England to embrace ponds and pondmeisters coast-to-coast.

Earth Ponds A to Z: An Illustrated Encyclopedia provides a ready reference that belongs on the shelf of any pond owner or builders. From A, for acid rain, through Z for zooplankton, the author has defined and explained more than 200 terms associated with ponds.

The reader will find numerous pond elements, including landscaping, government support, environmental issues, construction materials and structural features.

We applaud the author’s emphasis on treading lightly, on using what Mother Nature has to offer. “The key to pond landscaping, “Matson writes, “is to mimic nature.” Hear, hear.

Better yet, more than 200 pond concepts have been capably illustrated by Frank Fretz. His art is especially informative when applied to cut-away views of what the eye can not normally see - how a dam is constructed, the anatomy of a swimming beach, and the guts of a spillway pipe.

Indeed, Fretz’ elegantly simple illustration of an aeration system is the best we’ve seen in depicting how a bottom diffuser functions and sends water bubbles upward thorough the water column. Manufacturers and distributors of aeration equipment would do well to contract Fretz for their marketing and advertising campaigns.

The cut –away “ant farm” depiction of how the diffuser lies on the pond basin is crucial to the public understanding aeration, and it’s a concept best explained with illustrations. Sadly, these casuals are all too often missing from promotional literature and brochures.

This is not to say Earth Ponds encyclopedia is the definitive scientific word on ponds and their construction. That would be painfully boring to read and impossible to lift. Rather, it is a thorough once-over in which the pond owner and wannabe can equip him or herself to ask better questions of the dirt contractor and pond consultant when conducting due diligence. While Matson’s Earth Ponds A to Z may not be the end all book for pond owners, it’s a smart place to start.

Pond Boss, March-April 2003

Earth Ponds A to Z: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
ISBN 0-88150-494-7

Tim Matson has a passion for ponds. The writer and aquaculture consultant has been offering advice to pondkeeprs for more than 25 year. His first book, Earth Ponds: The Country Pond Maker’s Guide to Building, Maintenance and Restoration offers readers an in-depth look at earth pond construction. Matson’s Earth Pond Sourcebook provides comprehensive lists of resources and a broader range of aquaculture topics. Now comes the third companion book, Earth Ponds A to Z. In this illustrated encyclopedia he has compiled brief descriptions of terms and techniques used in pond building and maintenance.

Matson is dedicated to water and habitat conservation, and his book offers innovative concepts and suggestions. You’ll find entries for geothermal ponds, which can hear and cool a house by capturing warmth from the ground, and hydro ponds, which can be used as an alternative energy source. There are also suggestions for dealing with a variety of unwanted critters such as muskrats, herons, and leeches.

Ponds, according to Matson, can be the solution to a wide variety of problems in addition to providing natural beauty and pleasure. In his introduction to the second Earth Ponds book he writes:

What could be more primitive than digging a hole in the earth and filling it with water? That something so crude should yield so many rewards seem down right magical, and indeed pond building is a kind of alchemy, transforming the basic elements of earth and groundwater into liquid gold-that is, a reservoir of open water to treasure as drought and fire protection, wildlife habitat, recreation areas, fishpond, skating rink, lily pond and more.

This fascination with the benefits of water as well as years of experience make Earth Ponds A to Z an essential handbook for anyone interested in large earth bottom ponds, water retention and aquaculture. While this book does not focus on small water gardens and plants, there is some valuable information about water quality that nay pond keeper will find useful. The entries offer expert scientific knowledge, yet are clear and understandable, and many are further explained with useful illustrations.

Earth Ponds A to Z is unlike many water gardening publications, in that it has a clear message of water and wildlife conservation and explores a more scientific and innovative side to pondkeeping. Matson is truly an expert in aquaculture, and this reference book is a must for anyone who is serious simply curious about the benefits of earth ponds.

Water Gardening Magazine March-April 2003
by Joanna Miller

The Earth Ponds Video

You've dreamed of building a pond -- for a place to swim and skate, a pool to catch fish, a reservoir of water for the garden and livestock. These are a few of the rewards for the backyard pond owner. Now let pond designer Tim Matson show you how these ponds are designed and built, as well as all the exciting ways that ponds can be enjoyed.

Pond building begins with an understanding of how ponds can be used. In the Earth Ponds Video you'll learn how to get the most out of backyard reservoirs and improve real estate value. Then you'll learn how these ponds are sited, designed, and excavated, from the first field survey to final landscaping. Running time: 48 minutes.