Surface water collected in farm ponds is usually suitable for
livestock and for fighting fires, but consider it for home and milkhouse use
only when ground water sources are inadequate or too costly. If pond water
must be used:
Consider the following when locating the pond:
Small-area, deep ponds lose less water to evaporation than
ponds with a larger surface area. Make ponds at least 8 feet
deep, and deep enough in northern areas that the pond does not
freeze solid in the winter.
If the pond is spring-fed, it should hold enough water for
one year's supply. If it is fed only by watershed runoff,
however, it should contain at least a two to three year supply.
For the average household, a pond volume of 200,000 gallons is
recommended.
Limit grazing to ensure a good plant cover.
Fertilizer and pesticides in the watershed runoff can
contaminate the pond water. Read container labels, and consult the
county agricultural agent for more information.
In managing the pond, pull or cut water weeds as they appear.
Do not plant aquatic plants in the pond, but fish may be stocked.
No swimming in domestic water supply ponds.
Kill algae with copper sulfate or other safe algaecides.
Start control early in the season, and treat small areas of algae
when they first appear near the edge of the pond. During very hot
weather, treat only half of the pond, and then wait 10 to 14 days
before treating the other half to prevent a fish kill.
Locating the Pond
It is best if the entire watershed is owned by the pond user.
Also, no roads should cross the watershed; and no septic tanks,
feed lots, or other source of human or animal waste should be
in the watershed. A buffer strip of grass 100 feet wide should
surround the pond.
Pond Size
Needed pond size depends on the anticipated annual water uses,
rainfall, amount of reserve water desired, evaporation rate, and
soil seepage rate.
Pond Construction
For assistance in designing and building a farm pond,
contact the local soil conservation district. Recommended
construction features include:
Watershed and Pond Management
Maintain watersheds supplying household water with woodlots,
grass, or other plant cover on most or all of the watershed area.
Control soil erosion on cultivated areas.
Use a homemade or commercial float-suspended intake,
which removes the cleanest and most odor-free water from the pond.
Put the intake in deep water, well away from the shore, and
at least 18 inches below the surface. Install the intake deeper if
necessary to get below ice.
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