I want to build a barn on my country place. To do that, I need to build up an area that will not flood. Here is a picture of the progress....
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I want to build a barn on my country place. To do that, I need to build up an area that will not flood. Here is a picture of the progress....
The pond is about 8ft deep in the center. I want the pond deep because several people on this board stated that will help keep the water more clear. Here is a icture of the pond today....
Like I said before, I wanted to build up an area for my barn. Here is a picture from the road of my barn site. It is about 1-2 feet higher than the road. Better not flood! [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Just add water [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] If I can break away this weekend, I am going to spread some Bermuda see in and around the pond and all over the raised area to slow any erosion.
Anybody want firewood? Bring a chainsaw [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
It really broke my heat to lose those oak trees. Fortunately, I have plenty more.
I will post more pix of progress as the pond fills and grass grows.
Love to get the oak but it's just a tad too far away. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Egon
I used to be "over the top" in favor of deeper ponds. Talk to a knowledgeable aquaculturist. If you want healthy fish in the ponds there is a risk of making a pond too deep. If you don't have a fair circulation THROUGH the pond so you are getting fresh aerated water all the time and you aren't running a significant continuous adequate aeration system then extra depth can be a BAD thing.
You will be increasing the volume of oxygen deficient water (at the bottom of the pond) when this water should get mixed with the surface water it will reduce the average available disolved O2 level and can cause a fish kill. Aerating a deep pond can cause the same problem, at first. If the aeration stirs up more water than it aerates then you will reduce the disolved oxygen and stress or kill fish and other critters that breathe water.
I suggest you talk to an experienced pond management specialist or do some serious reading before you just head on down the path toward deeper ponds.
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Too far away???? How far away is it Egon? I didn't know you were psychic.
Funny thing, I don't see any bio info. Using your best psychic ability Egon, tell us the location of the pond and barn site.
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Ahh Pat -- from the picture it wasn't from the bridgewater area so it is just naturally " Too Far Away " .
Around here Oak trees are not given away as they have value for firewood. If they were for the taking they would already be gone.
Or maybe I'm pyshic!!!
Egon [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Oopsies! I have been shamed into updating my bio [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I guess it is a little late now to re-think the depth of the pond. [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img] The "dead water" area at the bottom is a definite concern. I am going to do a little more research on that....
roujesky, Unfortunately the "gool ole boys" who dig ponds get paid by how much dirt they move and it is not in their best interest to "know" too much. There are ways to offset the potential problem. You could install a drain pipe to control the depth where you want it. This would have the added benefit of allowing you to raise the water level over the years as ponds do tend to silt up and get shallower. If you start right out from the get go aerating the pond then you might avoid the problem.
Again, no bio or location info, so no way to give specific advice. If you have adequate flow through (pond is always overflowing) that reduces the problem. If you have adequate average wind during all months of the year you can run a wind powered aerator, sort of a windmill that pumps air.
It is not enough to just stir the water, you have to introduce more air into solution. The water-air interface surface area is a major factor in how much gas exchange there is. A larger volume withougt a comensurate increase in surface area reduces the gas exchange.
In Ohio there is a place called "Blue Hole" where water flows up out of the ground from a vertical section of "cavern." It is crystal clear and has no visible plant or animal life in it. The stream that carries the water off has water wheels installed in it and the flow of the stream rotates them and thrashes the water pretty well. this adds air to the water which permits the nice trout in the stream to survive, but only downstream of the aeration.
Sorry to have added to your concerns but it is better to know the truth up front rather than to be blind sided by problems later. You know what they say... "Know the truth and it will set you free... and if that doesn't work, try prunes!"
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
How deep is 'too deep'? We're planning a pond, ourselves, once our home is built. What I've read is that if it's too shallow, you get overrun with plants. I haven't read anything about 'too deep' yet. We are planning on putting in a pump or two (depending on how big the pond is), and having the pum(s) on a separate solar panel right by the pond.
'Too deep' is a relative term. If the main objective of your pond is fish, then water below a certain depth may not have enough oxygen for fish to live. The term is stratification. There are various means to overcome this; by mixing the levels of water. There is a lot of information available out there. A good place to start is Pond Boss magazine.
Too deep? Talk to a qualified aquaculturalist recommended by your county extension agent (not just taking the agents sugestions as he means well but...) Too deep and you will have "dead water" at the botom and if/when it turns over dead fish on top!
Aeration is a prevention and ou can go as deep as you like wth enough.
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Here are my latest pix of the pond. Got some rain, so it is slowly filling with water.
here is another view. I spread winter rye to minimize erosion.
Here is the raised area for the barn. More winter rye to control erosion
There is about 2 -2.5 feet of water in the pond. Do you think I should start putting some minnows in it??