Ponds Unpacked: A Practical Retrofit & Assessment Workshop

Date: October 29
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Classroom Location: Mt. Sylvan Ruritan Club
Classroom Address: 6129 N Roxboro Road, Durham, NC 27712
Cost: Free

Event Overview

Ponds Unpacked is a full‑day, hands‑on training designed to strengthen foundational pond knowledge among Soil and Water Conservation

District staff. Districts—especially Durham—receive pond‑related calls regularly, and the ability to support landowners with clear, accurate information is essential. Understanding general pond issues such as dam and spillway condition, erosion concerns, vegetation and weed identification, and layout or structural problems enables staff to provide informed guidance and better collaborate with engineers and program partners.

During this workshop, participants will explore both a “before” pond and an active retrofit site to understand real design considerations, common issues, and on‑the‑ground assessment techniques. Two photos (one drone image and one phone image) of the pond site will be attached for participant reference.

Training Outcomes

By the end of the training, participants will:

• Build foundational understanding of pond structure, terminology, and common field issues.
• Increase confidence in identifying structural components and possible problem areas during assessments.
• Strengthen familiarity with pond vegetation and weed‑management considerations.
• Improve collaboration with engineers through more effective information gathering during landowner inquiries.

Follow‑Up Webinar

A follow‑up webinar will be held after the onsite workshop. This session will focus on choosing the correct cost‑share program (ACSP vs. AgWRAP) for pond projects, including similarities, differences, and examples of when each pathway best fits a landowner’s situation.

Required Field Gear

Please wear appropriate footwear. The field portion may be mucky, so pack:

• Field boots
• Muck boots
• Outdoor‑appropriate clothing for wet or uneven terrain

Lunch & Refreshments

Lunch is sponsored by Foster Lake & Pond and the Durham Soil & Water District.

A boxed lunch from Parker & Otis will be provided, including a sandwich, chips, and dessert. Mustard and mayo packets will be included separately.

Sandwich Options To Choose During Registration:

• Signature Chicken Salad
• Black Forest Ham & Swiss
• Turkey & Swiss
• Roast Beef & Muenster

Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Please bring your own water bottle; refill stations will be available.

Registration Deadline & Cancelation: Please register or cancel your registration by October 22, 2026 so that we can confirm information with the caterer.