Water-level patterns, water-quality, and vegetation-composition of nine natural coastal plain ponds in the New Jersey Pinelands and four small, well-established excavated basins (borrow pits) that are at least 50 years old were compared.  Water-level-fluctuation patterns, high-water pond area, mean water depth, area of exposed substrate, and the presence of a clay lens were similar between pond types.  Steeper bank slopes found at most of the excavated ponds affected nearshore water depths and resulted in the absence of plant zonation that characterizes coastal plain ponds.  Specific conductance, pH, and total organic carbon differed between pond types.  Compared with natural ponds, the pH and specific conductance of the excavated ponds were higher and total organic carbon concentrations were lower.  Total and herbaceous species richness was greater in the excavated ponds.  Although overall species composition differed between the excavated and natural ponds, the list of plants found in the excavated ponds was similar to that of coastal plain ponds found in other areas of the Pinelands.  The major difference in vegetation composition between natural and excavated ponds was the lack of distinct vegetation zonation and lower patch-type diversity in the excavated ponds.