Another pond thread... do you think it would work on my property?

[AJE]

Let me first say I've always wanted a pond. We recently moved onto a four acre lot and I'd like to explore the possibilities. We have a drainage problem in the front yard, and although smaller than the area behind the house, i think it would be a good area. However, I know almost nothing about planning for something like this, or if it is really even possible to do.

It has been raining for three days straight, and the yard is flooded out worse than it's been since we moved in. The bigger water covered area, against the fence, has not dried up since we moved in, and I doubt it will dry completely over the summer.

Here is an aerial view (the lot outlined in yellow), you can see the dark spot nearest the driveway, is the smaller area of standing water (where the curve stops and it goes straight back to the house).

The first picture was taken standing by the house (the well is the pipe you see sticking up in the middle of the yard). Also, you can see the slope going down from the sidewalk, so the house is several feet above the flooded area.

The next two pictures were taken from the same spot, standing in the driveway:

The last one is taken from further down the driveway, looking straight across the low spots. You can see the edge of the driveway on the bottom of the picture, underwater.

So, what do you guys think? Am I totally nuts?

 

[MarkV]

How feasible a pond is has much to do with the type of soil you have. Generally speaking a clay based soil or a liner of clay is what you want to maintain a pond that will hold water. The next concern is whether you have at a water source such as a spring, stream or large enough drainage basin. You have recently moved, and do not mention where, so it is hard to guess if your standing water is normal, seasonal, or unusual. If normal you may be in a good situation for building a pond. If not you could end up with an expensive hole.

Check out Pond Boss Magazine Home Page! for some people with pond building expertise.

MarkV

 

[Airic]

I would monitor your conditions throughout the year. I learned a lot doing this for my own pond project but have I also have a different scenario. If you have the ability to dig a test hole to see soil type that would be a good start. Another thing to think about is where to put all the spoils. Is this something you want to do yourself and what size are you thinking?

 

[AJE]

Forgot to mention the soil (most boards display my location). I'm in Western Ohio in the middle of corn & beans country, although I've never worked with dirt from different areas that much, I'd say more clay than sand.

I didn't plan on doing the work myself.

 

[DSP348]

I have been contemplating one for a while too. There is a lot to learn. I would recommend reading 'Ponds--Planning, Design, and Construction.' You can download a copy online here, among other places.

Pond construction NRCS (June 2, 2004) | NRCS This Week | NRCS

 

[Redneck in training]

Do your research and plan it well. Leaky pond is very expensive. Don't ask me how I know.