I just purchased a property with a 4 acre lake/pond. The property came with a grandfathered in "FREE" water tap from a near-by large public lake. (Lake Tawakoni)

Back in the late 1960's they built a water-supply pipeline to a nearby town. The state made a deal with the landowners that allowed each land owner whose property the pipe passed thru one "free" water tap for eternity. The water is untreated lake water that is being piped to a public water works facility. So the water is not drinkable, but I suppose pretty much ok otherwise.

Water is such a valued commodity these days that it seems like this could be a good thing as far as water for landscaping, ect. The previous owner already put in a tap/piping and the water runs into my pond about 3-4 days a week at a medium rate of flow. The previous owner said this free water helped out last summer during the horrible Texas drought that ruined many a pond in this area.

Besides using this basically free water source ($10 a month for unlimited use) for landscaping in the hot Texas summer months, do most of you think it is ok to keep this lake water running into my pond as far as water chemistry ect...? Is there any more danger from this than water that runs into ponds from rivers/creeks/ect...?

Any thoughts pro/con?

The only sure way to tell is to have comprehensive water tests done on the Lake water and the pond water and comparing the results.

Zep

What a scenario - essentially free irrigation! That's amazing...good for you - and congrats on the new land acquisition.

Two sides to this in my mind: Former owner has already been pumping the lake water into the pond - any damage in the form of invasive species or water chemistry/quality, vegetation issues has been introduced, and the pond/fishery has adapted. Bottom line - the BOW has already been introduced to any negative effects so you're OK moving forward with future irrigation.

Second side says be very cautious to continue. Get to know the BOW from which you're pumping. Understand you could be introducing any/all vegetation cultivars and fish species present there into your BOW. Are you willing/prepared to respond to any negative effects?

One immediate solution might be to pump the irrigation water do a small holding wetland area away from your pond. You could have that water slowly seep through another wetland area to eventually irrigate your pond. The wetland would ideally absorb any excess nutrients or clear turbid water and if you boxscreened the irrigation pipe outlet you could theoretically prevent any invasive fish species from entering your fishery.

Just my immediate feedback on the situation. Will look forward to other takes on this situation.

Thanks for the feedback. TJ it certainly can't hurt having the free water although it appears to run only 3-4 days a week. But heck like you say "free is free" I can't complain. I think I will just take the risk and see what happens.

Considering your pond has been irrigated for some time now, I'm not sure there's much additional risk for introducing new issues. Can you please post us some photos and show us how this works? What are the goals for this new pond? What's the current situation there? Fish species present? More info please!

+1 to the letter. Just the thoughts I was having as I read your post, Zep. That's a sweet deal you got!

Pictures?...TJ Ummmm it's basically just a meter box that looks like a typical underground
meter box near the buried pipeline with a lever inside you turn to start or stop the water.

Then there is a buried black rubber/plastic 2-3 inch pipe that comes out near the dam and releases water flow into the 4 acre lake. I will take some pictures next weekend when I am back down there.

The pond is about 6 years old. Had a survey done upon purchase several weeks ago and they said it was actually in very good over-all shape for a pond with no lake mgt. They said it had a nice population of bluegill (Redear and Coppernose) but a bit low on black bass numbers. A few channel cats were noted.

Goals are a fishery where quantity is slightly more important over quality. I have been a black bass fisherman my whole life, but I want a lake where I can entertain family, guests, kids and they can come out on a weekend and catch a "mess of fish". If that means lots of 1 lb, 2lb, 3lb bass instead of 6-8lb bass thats ok with me. Some hybrid striped bass and a few catfish would be ok too. The property also has two much smaller ponds up near the front gate that are like maybe 1/2 acre or less. Survey guy said maybe have the two small ponds filled with catfish or crappie so they don't takeover the bigger lake and when kids come out to visit use the small ponds as sure fire places to catch fish if needed.

Here are some pics:
Aerial: Lake, 2 Small Ponds, Property

This past Saturday after rain.

About a month ago

I still cant believe how good some cell phone pics turn out!

Video: 4 Acre Lake

Nice photos - what a great looking BOW! Congrats

Thanks TJ. My brother and I feel blessed. Lots of work ahead, but hopefully will be a fun journey. I plan on leaning on PondBoss for advice.

I can't wait to see what your fishery has in store for you. When will you get busy and fish it hard over a weekend? Low bass numbers means they are probably hogs, with the ample BG and RES available. That's certainly not a bad thing if your goal is big LMB! Let us know what you find out...I kinda feel like I just scored along with you and am eager to find out what's going on in the depths!

TJ said it all. The only thing that I can add is to see if you can find out where the water is coming from in the lake. I'd be more concerned if it was anaerobic or oxygenated since it's already been introduced to the pond.

Although it will change over time, I would feel compelled to send it to TAMU for analysis.

Man-O-Man, I envy you. Neat place and free water.

Thanks Dave. Good idea to let the Aggies take a look. I wish that pipe was big enough to allow just certain fish from Lake Tawakoni into my pond.

Build and place a box screen around the pipe? If you make it big enough you won't have to clean it out so often, and the screen may also break up the water enough to oxygenate it. Imagine most fish coming through that pipe are YOY or larval fish anyhow, though. Screen might not help in that regard.

yeah i dont think any fish could make it thru the pipe/pvc from the tap....it's just slightly larger than a large garden hose. the pipe/hose from the tap at the pipeline runs several hundred feet. hope it never gets clogged!

Video