Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam Pond Drain in Freezing Weather Areas

My biggest regret on my lake is that I didn't put a drain in it for water management and more.

Hopefully, I'll build more in the future. So... Along that track...

In a freeze zone using PVC, would you put the valve in the pond side with a riser to open or bury it below frost line on the dry side?

I'm thinking the dry side would be a whole lot more convenient and wouldn't have to worry about ice messing up the riser and etc. Has anyone tried hay or other materials to cover the pipe/valve area that are easier to remove than dirt and still protect it from freezing?

Does anyone have freezing weather experience / recommendations with drains in areas without electricity? I'm thinking I can bury the downhill side below frost level, but it would be a pain and I would run risk of damage if I had to dig out each time. There's gotta be a good solution...

I went to a plumbing supply house and got a water meter pit and lid. My valve is 28 inches below the ground and I didn't have any problems with it freezing last winter. A 4" PVC pipe with a coffee can turned upside down as a lid will do the same. Some insulation could be pushed inside the pipe for extra protection.

I notched the pit and put concrete block under the drain line and the pit. A tractor running over the pit would otherwise damage the drain line.

Thanks David!