Forums36
Topics41,050
Posts558,882
Members18,557
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
7 members (Thirdy8special, Snipe, Fishingadventure, Sunil, Bobbss, Boondoggle, catscratch),
736
guests, and
333
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
I'm Beaverboy, and I'm a curious animal with a home range of about 3 miles. I like hiking about and enjoying the landscape and seeing my fellow animal friends. A place that is about a mile away from my den changed considerably in the last year. I would just cross a stream and continue on my journey. But I saw the steady stream of water and even I thought how tempting it would be to dam it up. Well, my thoughts were answered, and the owner built a pond there. Since I find it interesting when others post before and after pics, I thought I would show some pics of a place I frequently visit. The watershed drains something like 260-280 acres. Not sure how big the pond is. I'll just guess over 2, less than 5 acres. Pic of the stream during peak snowmelt during early 2007 more pics to follow
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
Thanks for the picture.
That looks like a lot of water for 280 acres.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
Last edited by Beaver Boy; 10/28/08 08:29 PM.
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
before/after(floodstage) of the backwaters Another pic at normal pool level
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
Looking upon the pond during the flood ducks that are attracted by the pond
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,435
Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
|
Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,435 |
BB, you probably don't know who Johnny Appleseed was, but you remind me of him - and that's meant as a compliment. Great work!
Just do it...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
Oh indeed, we were taught about johnny appleseed in school.
Also, a week ago I saw an online nursery selling an apple tree that was linked to johnny appleseed, so I was reading info about him.
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 70
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 70 |
Nice, gives me some inspiration for a smaller stream flowing through my timber. I'll get the Kubota down there this summer when it slows down and make a pool. Or two.
Midwest Dave, 3.5 acre lake, 47 acres timber & CRP.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
Just a few other pics to complete this thread Aerial before and after Casting a spell another pond I came across on my journey, a beaver pond, eh!
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2 |
Quite the transformation. Aerial shots really tell the story. That beaver pond doesn't appear to have been cored. Boy, are they gonna be sorry.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12 |
Brettski
Your comment about the lack of a core in the dam piqued my interest in a more general way.
I am looking to purchase a property with an existing pond. In my site visits of existing ponds I have tried to apply what I have learned from this site to help avoid a future ooops. As a result this site has helped me in several cases to avoid a problem. So thanks to all and keep the great info coming.
Back to my question. How can you look at an older existing pond to determine if the dam was built with a core and/or otherwise constructed properly?
Any thoughts
NAP
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,025 Likes: 297
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,025 Likes: 297 |
I have seen some pond construction faux pas that were quite obvious: Dams noticeably lower in the middle than anything approaching an emergency spillway at either end, drainpipes so close to the dam's top that freeboard is basically non-existent, and water levels that are significantly lower than other nearby ponds currently are (I actually only have to think about one specific pond near me to visualize all three of these). The latter is IMHO a sign that the dam was not cored or even constructed of good, compacted clay.
I also know of one pond which I would describe as having been cored after-the-fact; water loss on this BOW dropped a lot from having a core added (to the back side of the dam, IIRC), and in dry weather is now about 3 feet fuller than it used to be.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,081 Likes: 281
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,081 Likes: 281 |
NAP, if it appears to be leaking, it probably wasn't cored.
Also look at the slope. Most should be about 3:1.
Get a TOPO map and look at the runoff area in relation to the size of the pond. Assure that a neighbor can't make changes to their place to restrict or decrease your water supply.
To determine whether there is a leak mark the pond water level. Then put water in a straight walled bucket and see if the water in the bucket drops due to evaporation less than that of the pond. If the pond drops more you probably have a leak.
Ascertain the age of the pond. If it is pretty old(?), you can bet it is silted. Most ponds have a life span.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
Check on how it has been taken care of. Is there grass on the dam? Trees? Has the spillway be washed out.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12 |
Theo, Dave and OTTO
Thanks for the advice. There are 2 ponds that I have considered that had many of the issues referenced in your responses with the exception of the sagging dam.
Another concern with these 2 and some other ponds that I have looked at is the lack of a drain pipe. Both ponds, a 1+ acre and a 4+ acre have less than 6" from full pool to the top of the dam and have a 10" - 12" PVC pipe along the back side of the dam as a spillway. In both situations there was evidence of past clogs where leaves and twigs had been removed from the entrance of the pipe. IIRC, the 4 acre pond actually had 3 of these pipes that drained into a creek that flowed along the back of the dam.
The owner of the 4 acre pond told me that it was built during he 30's by the WPA. Does anyone know if the WPA's methods required a core to be installed as part of the dam construction?
Another question has to do with the lack of a drain pipe. How difficult is it to add a drain pipe to an existing pond?
Thanks again guys
NAP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
If you added a siphon system, it is super easy. If you want to add a standpipe, The entire pond will need to be drained and the dam breached.
Too bad someone has never made a "screw" type pipe like those used to bore under roads and such. The "threads welded onto those pipes would make a great anti-seep collar and you could add a stand with scuba gear or drain and finish.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
If a dam was built 30 years ago and it holding water do not worry about it. The same is true for the spillway pipe, it is only there to protect the dirt spillway. Look at the dirt spillway see if it has erosion problems that will tell you if you need a bigger pipe.
As far as the leaves around the entrance to the pipe, there is always a little work that will need to be done to keep things clear.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12 |
Rainman and OTTO
Thanks. Makes sense.
With regard to the "spillway pipes" my concern with both of these ponds was that these pipes were the only way for the water to exit the pond. In both of these cases there was less than a foot from full pool to the top of the dam. Also. neither pond has a spillway and from an amateur's view I could not see how a spillway could be added.
Any thoughts on how to resolve the above issues? Add more spillway pipes?
thanks
Dale
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|