Coronet Pond – Monitoring & Management

Coronet Pond is the most vibrant of the seven Kingsmead ponds and is home to many species of fish, frogs and insects.

The pond is regularly monitored and maintained by our site management contractors and by members of the Parish Council. Also, the water is frequently tested for contaminants and has been found to be much fresher and of a higher quality than other ponds.

The pond’s water levels vary throughout the year, which is due mainly to evaporation but it has a natural supply of ground water and it is quite deep in the middle. Also, the reeds and the water lilies provide the fish with shade from the sun and cover from predators such as the herons that visit. The plants also do a lot to maintain the high quality of the water.

In warm weather, when the water level is lower, some of the fish (mirror carp, perch and gold fish) tend to head for the deeper water in the middle of the pond amongst the plants. However, the bigger ogon koi (the yellow ones) behave differently. They are surface feeders and tend to keep to the open water and ‘play’ amongst the plants near the shallows.

People often ask why the pond can’t be “topped up” when the water level appears to be low. This is not easily achievable as primary water sources would not be suitable for the pond. Mains water for example, which is used to feed stand pipes and by the fire service, has too much chlorine and would be harmful to the wild life.

In very extreme cases, the Parish Council has a contingency plan to manage the pond and support the fish life living there. However, this is a difficult task to complete successfully and without harm to the pond and will only be used when conditions require it.