The Basics of Pond Construction Site Selection & Construction Techniques By: Rick Ayers Yates...

The Basics of The Basics of Pond Pond

Construction Construction Site Selection & Construction Site Selection & Construction

TechniquesTechniques

By:By:

Rick AyersRick Ayers

Yates County Soil & Water Yates County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictConservation District

Site SelectionSite Selection

TopographyTopography

Topography of a site will effect:Topography of a site will effect:►Type of pondType of pond►Construction costsConstruction costs►Overall feasibility of the site.Overall feasibility of the site.

Pond Types & Site Pond Types & Site TopographyTopography

Excavated PondsExcavated PondsPonds that are constructed all below ground. Ponds that are constructed all below ground.

These ponds are constructed on sites with These ponds are constructed on sites with little or no ground slope.little or no ground slope.

Embankment pondsEmbankment ponds Ponds that are constructed with a dam to Ponds that are constructed with a dam to

hold back water. These are constructed hold back water. These are constructed on sites with steeper topographyon sites with steeper topography

Pond Site SlopesPond Site Slopes

Excavated Pond 0-3% slopes Embankment pondEmbankment pond

3-10% slopes3-10% slopes

Pondpond

Embankment ponds over 10%

dike

dike

Water SupplyWater Supply

►Sub surface springsSub surface springs

►Surface runoff Surface runoff

3-5 acres of upslope watershed for a¼ 3-5 acres of upslope watershed for a¼ - ½ acre pond - ½ acre pond

►Avoid stream flow into a pond Avoid stream flow into a pond

SoilsSoils

►All pond sites need to have the soils All pond sites need to have the soils evaluated by digging test pits.evaluated by digging test pits.

►Test pits should be excavated to a Test pits should be excavated to a minimum depth of 8 feet.minimum depth of 8 feet.

►The soils are evaluated for the The soils are evaluated for the percentage of clays verses sand, percentage of clays verses sand, gravel and bedrock. gravel and bedrock.

District Staff evaluating soils

ConstructionConstruction

Phases and Areas of Phases and Areas of ConcernConcern

Erosion Control

Remove and stock pile top soil from pond area.

All top soil will be used to cover the site after excavation is complete

Excavate core trench under dike to cut off sub surface drainage and key pond dike into natural ground

Pond Dike Construction

Spillway construction and overflow management

Seeding and mulching to prevent soil erosion

Assistance AvailableAssistance Available

County Soil & Water County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictConservation District

Site ReviewsSite ReviewsSoil EvaluationSoil Evaluation

Survey & DesignSurvey & Design