Build A Pond?

[Gary Fowler]

Someone asked when does a pond become a lake? According to Wiki there is not an agreed upon definition but most agree that anything larger than 20 acres is a lake, but some say >5 acres. My personal definition of a lake is a body of water that is fed and/or drained by a running river/stream and is large enough to run a gasoline powered boat on and large enough to produce wave action by wind currents.

 

[NativeSon]

Thinking about tether but can't think what would hold up for years in the water. Any Ideas? Cedar is rare around here. Wanted to put a couple small cedar trees in but can't find any.

Cedars-- We got cedars. Here in East Texas they are more like weeds. Come on out and you can have all you want, and we can throw in some pine seedlings if you like.

 

[ctpres]

AMAZING! Two inch rain this AM, upstream pond overflowed giving us a babbeling brook feeding near empty pond. As of 2:30 today we are within three feet of being FULL. Fully expect overflow by dark or in AM tomorrow at the latest. Will take pictures when weather clears enough to take camera out. Bad news is I am watching a lot of soil washing away as rye grass not all up enough yet.

 

[ctpres]

As promised.
Pic one is of water entry point to our property. Only runs after heavy rain. Base of yellow flag is estimated water level when pond full and there is outflow. Pretty much what you see now.

Pic 2 is closer to pond looking back at entry point. This is my sediment collection stage. Once grass is good and strong it will slow the flow and collect sediment before entering pond. Theory says I can get some good dirt out of this from time to time. Time will tell.

Pic 3 is even closer to pond again looking back at entry. This one shows just how clear the water is going into pond.

Pic 4 is looking from pond inlet to outlet at far end. You may be able to see two culvets on far end if you look at top of dock posts. Ground level at each end of culvet hump/bridge is near top of culverts. Theory goes as culverts reach capacity pond will overflow around ends of culvet hump.

I think idea of reaching full before dark or even overnight was unrealestic. That last couple of feet represents a LOT of water.

We must have some real happy fish. They went from a wading pool to ocean in hours.

 

[ctpres]

Won't fill up this time. Water flow stopped last night. Level not much different than yesterdays picture. I might measure later, but still looks like three or so feet to go. Sure was a nice stroll with my coffee and to stand on the dock surveying my efforts. Very rewading morning.

 

[jinman]

Well, I hope it's what you want, because you won't be changing it for awhile now. To me, your runoff pictures show fairly clear water. As your grass grows, it will filter even more. After this rain, you are likely to see a surge in ryegrass growth. Lookin' good!:thumbsup:

 

[ctpres]

I figure a couple days was enough for soil below water line to become saturated. So I put a small stake at waters edge to give me a rough idea on how much water is being lost. Not going to try and calculate evaporation. Just want to see if I'm losing a lot of water. Anyone have good ideas on long lasting/reading water depth pole? With mother nature pretty much in charge of things now, I'll be working on RV port-see you there

 

[teg]

Ever think about screwing a yard stick on the support post for the dock... kind of like a flood gauge seen on bridges? Looks good... I check in every time to see how's she filling up...

 

[ctpres]

Ever think about screwing a yard stick on the support post for the dock... kind of like a flood gauge seen on bridges? Looks good... I check in every time to see how's she filling up...

I think yard stick would do for now but not sure it would be readable after a year or so in and out of water and sun.. Flood gauge, now thats an idea. Need to stop and look at a couple closeup and see how they are made.

 

[ctpres]

Wow what a difference. Was RV camping in the RGV for a little over a month and came home to green everwhere and pond within one foot of full. Times like this help me forget all the work required to get here. Full is supposed to be very close to the cross piece under end of dock.