When Henry David Thoreau decided to learn the essential facts of life and what it had to teach, it's not surprising that he lived next to a pond. There are few things in life as peaceful and as tranquil as a pond.However, not all of us are as geographically fortunate as Thoreau . . . until now. Thanks to Tim Matson, we can all have a pond to philosophize next to, swim in, or skate on. The Earth Ponds Sourcebook: The Pond Owner's Manual and Resource Guide provides expert advice for pond building and maintenance, with up-to-date lists of suppliers and bibliographies, as well as information on pond-related structures like rafts, docks, and gazebos.Additionally, The Earth Ponds Sourcebook covers ecological and legal issues involved in creating your own pond; including an in-depth look at potential structural disasters that could turn your peaceful water feature into a financial headache.Tim Matson, the acclaimed guru of earth pond building, covers everything you need to know about successfully building and maintaining your own pond, including: Deciding what size pump you'll need for irrigation How to prepare your pond for winter How to deal with weeds, algae, and wildlife How to maintain a goldfish pond Converting your pond to a cold-weather skating rink Readers interested in related titles from Tim Matson will also want to see: Landscaping Earth Ponds (ISBN: 1626543984).