Forums36
Topics40,946
Posts557,793
Members18,483
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
9 members (esshup, ArkieJig, Boondoggle, canyoncreek, Augie, catscratch, FishinRod, FireIsHot, Theeck),
974
guests, and
269
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
|
OP
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5 |
New member here trying to collect as much information as I can. I am planning on building a largemouth bass pond that will be around .75 acres. I am in the Southern Kentucky on a very hilly farm. I am going to dam up the bottom end of a small valley with a small spring feeding the pond at the upper end. The hillsides are very steep so the depth at the dam will probably be at least 20 feet even before doing any digging. I have seen where too much depth can mean low oxygen levels and be a dead spot in the pond. Just looking for some insight on this issue. Thanks for the help!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Will, welcome to Pond Boss. The answer to your question is yes. But, it exists in all ponds and is called a thermocline. Fish can go there but not stay very long. It is essentially storage that becomes usable when evaporation occurs and sunlight penetrates previously dark areas. Wind action and sunlight oxygenate the previously unusable areas.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 02/25/18 08:44 AM.
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: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
|
OP
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5 |
So would I be better off trying to shallow the pond out? I could go further down the valley to build the dam which would be more work but make the pond shallower. I guess my question is whether to deal with the depth or the vegetation that comes with a shallower pond?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
I’ve never known of too much water being a problem. If you ever get a Texas type drought, you will be glad to have it.
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: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424 Likes: 19
|
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424 Likes: 19 |
Better to have as much depth as the site allows, and steep 3:1 sides, down to a flatter bottom, to ensure against dropping too low in drought.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73 |
Not sure if it's feasible for your location but adding aeration would prevent stratification and allow your fish to utilize the deep water. Aerobic digestion of the bottom silt would also improve, slowing eutrophication.
"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
|
OP
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5 |
Thanks for the input. I had his been confused after reading some info on depth. Steep is definitely not gonna be a problem as I am goin to have to use some dirt out of the banks to supply the dirt for the dam.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,141 Likes: 488
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,141 Likes: 488 |
Are you going to be able to or plan to aerate it?
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
|
OP
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 5 |
Honestly I am completely ignorant on what is involved in aeration of a pond. It’s quite a distance from any electrical source so I doubt that would be in the budget.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13 |
another way to look at it...all ponds collect silt, sediment, muck, etc. Starting deeper gives you more room to absorb excess material and still have adequate water depth
Mat Peirce 1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36 |
Welcome to Pond Boss Williek!
Since electrical source is far you can use alternative ways to produce electricity if needed.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,904 Likes: 109
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,904 Likes: 109 |
My pond is not 20’, closer to 15+. I’ve not added aeration due to long distances from electric, and high cost of a good solar system. Our little BOW is only 4 yrs old, but it’s producing great fishing. Lots of fun swimming time, and is a pleasure to just sit by it. I’m sure I’m gaining sediment in the bottom, as it’s ringed by tall timber. I may be paying a price later for not aerating, but only time will tell. I also have on again, off again drought conditions, and a small leak, so when it’s down 4’ I think I’ve still got enough water for healthy fish. I did go with steep banks to keep water plant production low, but then you almost have to build a dock in order to get out of the water. Jeff
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|