Pond Questions?

[Ken45101]

It is going to cost one heck of a lot of money to pump 25 gpm 24/7 out of a deep well. Have you calculated how much pump and electricity you will need for 25 gpm?

As for digging out the pond, how steep at the sides now? If it's relatively flat, then digging out will reduce the shrinking during the dry season (a 1' in 10 gives a lot more dry land when the water drops than a 45 degree slope). OTOH if it is already fairly steep, then it will eventually flatten back out.

Ken

 

[rd_macgregor]

Your guess is at least as good as mine as to whether your well might supply the flow rate you want, though the comment about pumping cost is apt.
I'd be hesitant to use my tractor to try to dig an existing pond deeper, though. I'd be more inclined to hire (preferably) a large tracked excavator for a day. If you do try this with your tractor, be sure to have a Plan B for extricating yourself from the mud, just in case.
BOB

 

[Ken45101]

I'd be more inclined to hire (preferably) a large tracked excavator for a day. If you do try this with your tractor, be sure to have a Plan B for extricating yourself from the mud, just in case.
BOB

I know of one trackhoe that ended up in the pond, they had to tear the engine down after it was recovered. There are also some great youtube videos of excavators being extricated from the mud....

Ken

 

[Short Game]

Anyone got a dragline?

 

[Western]

Personaly I dont think it would be worth the $$ and the constant electric bill in the summer, maybe do some reaserch on wind mills as a possible option, may not keep it full but maybe match the evaporation.

I'd also go try the question here, allot of good guy's over here too in the forums

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php

 

[LazySusanFarms]

I am looking at a 12' diameter wind mill to pump my water. I am also applying for water rights to store in a man-made pond. Water is going to get very expensive very soon as utilities try to recapture funds for infrastructure updates. I am planning for an expense of $15,000 for the well and wind mill.

 

[budlite]

Thanks for all the replies.

I only plan to pump 10-12 hrs a day, using a timer, in the summer months when there is little/no rain and lots of evaporation. When I run the 10 gal a minute pump I have now 24/7 it costs about $90 a month, so I figured with a better well and higher pump rate I could get more water for less $$$. Of course the higher capacity pump runs about $800, plus longer hose and wire required. I might mention that the well is not capable of producing even 10 gal a minute now.

I looked into a windmill, I think they are cool, but wind power is not reliable enough around here and the yearly maintenance was a big minus. Solar power is not reliable here either. The initial cost of either was as much as running the power underground 1000 feet to the existing well.

As far as getting stuck, I am planning to excavate only the dried up portion of the pond, as its the most shallow obviously. If I did get stuck there are a couple of real strong backhoes nearby that can pull me out. Unfortunately I know that from experience.

I will go check out the pond forum that someone posted.

Thanks again.

 

[Combustix]

My pond is seasonal and I have looked at trying to keep water in it year round. The expense I believe would not be worth the effort. I use the dry time to do maintenance and scoop out the layer of good soil left by the ducks and geese and the rock I use on my driveway. It is generally full from October to late June mid July. Depending on rain