Ponds

[Chuckca]

Let's say...that I really thought that I needed a POND....how in the world would I go about this....I know there would be some grading (could do this with the other earth work)....but now what....?

Is there a good book on "POND" makeing one...?

Thanks
Chuck  

[Daddymem]

You can find a lot of information about ponds under the topic of stormwater management.  Most states have their own guidelines which will lay out basic information on retention ponds and constructed wetlands.  When I get in to work I'll put up some links.

In the meantime, consider a natural swimming pool?
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/2002_August_September/Natural_Swimming_Pools

[Daddymem]

Here we go, USDA abd NRCS documents/links:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/BkPond.html

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/patponds.html

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NH/Engineering_pubs/ponds.pdf
Their ftp site is currently down, if you can't get this one and want it, I can email it to you ~1.8mb

[jhambley]

Here is a site dedicated to small pond owners / builders. They have a forum that I found helpful. They also publish a magazine.

http://www.pondboss.com/

Good Luck!

P.S. I built a 2 acre pond last fall. Here's a photo:
http://www.alpinecreek.com/pond.jpg

[Amanda_931]

Draining seems to be a problem in my part of the country, where small streams and springs are dammed up to make a pond.

Some friends almost considered the manure/pigs running around to compact the bottom for theirs after the water level dropped.  (I think that's one of the old ways to seal a pond).  Not too hard, because this pond provides very cold swimming.

Consult local experts?