What are some of the cons to having a retention pond/small lake in your backyard in Central FL? (fence)

[Xx2O11xX]

What are some of the cons you have experienced if you have a retention pond/small lake in your backyard?

[EditorJul]

Depending on how small the pond is and how well the water circulates, it can become a lovely breeding ground for all sorts of bugs. It can also attract snakes and gators and things of that nature.

We had our irrigation lines out in the pond that I grew up on, so we didn't have to pay for watering our lawn. We also had so many amazingly beautiful birds to watch. I also went fishing some in my own backyard, although the fish we'd catch would be pretty small. Still, it was fun.

[Crane's Rooster]

Pros: the view, you can say you have waterfront property, it makes for good nature watching, depending on how big it is you might be able to go swimming, fishing, boating etc.

Cons: Bugs, bugs, bugs, snakes, bugs, gators, bugs, stanky odor if the water remains stagnant, and oh yeah...bugs.

[Dzyner]

Yes there may be more bugs but I don't think as much as being backed to a wooded preserve. Having a screened in lanai solves the bug problem anyway so it's not an issue with us. The frogs at night can be a bit noisy this time of year but it only lasts into May. The pros out weight the cons in my opinion. Wider panoramic views, no rear neighbors, a huge variety of visiting birds from herons and ibis to ducks and cranes as well as turtles and of course the fish. There really is less of a feeling of being boxed in.
After a tough day (or really any day) it's great to just sit and chill watching the water glisten and change color with the sunset and watch the beautiful birds it attracts. It's very relaxing and much better than staring at the inside of a privacy fence or at your rear neighbors garage or lanai. If you have the opportunity to get a property waterside, I definitely would go for it!