I have recently purchased a 3 1/2 acre pond built in 1976. I noticed right from
The start that my overflow constantly had a discharge coming from the pipe not a huge stream of water but enough to worry me. Over the last three weeks my pond has dropped almost three feet. This is not a spring fed pond so no water is coming in to supply the amount going out. I can not locate the overflow pipe inside the pond normalkynthey stick up out of the water. I'm worried the pipe has broken off below the surface of the water and is just partially clogged. Any advice on how to plug the existing discharge in before I loose my pond or any advise on finding the old overflow pipe

There are some actual pond builder experts on this forum, so I'm sure one of them will chime in shortly. But in the meantime, be very cautious about looking around (wading or swimming) for the outflow pipe. But even if it's partially blocked, the amount of suction it will be pulling could easily trap or kill a person caught in it's pull. I'd keep the kids and dog away too.

Do you know how the drain is plumbed? Your descriotion lacks key details I need to assess safety if you are going to mess with the plumbing.

Internal standpipe that is submerged or tilted and is also plug by something like a turtle?

Pipe with a plug held in place by suction?

Pipe with valve inside levee?

The pipe was an internal standup pipe that has obviously rusted in half under the water. I have waded around and can not find this pipe anywhere near the dam out to about 6 foot fr the dam. It is a 12 inch corrugated pipe.

Without seeing it, the most likely problem is pipe broke and someone covered the end with something that is not providing a good seal. Previous owner could not provide insight to problem?

You might be able to obstruct other end with a metal valve. Up here that is iffy because pipe would freeze.

Have you thought about calling a plumbing outfit that has a camera that can go inside of pipes to take a look?

The only why that I know of plugging it is to pump in cement from the outlet side to completely fill the pipe.

Like was said, stay away from the side that is in the pond. the suction can be strong enough to keep your body pinned to the pipe...... At the very least you will have a bad hematoma if you can get yourself free, at the worst you will be pinned there by the suction until the pond drains down. Whether you will be alive or dead by that time is unknown. That end of the discharge pipe is nothing to be messing with, especially when you don't know where it is.

Owner could not provide any info. Pipe scares me guy got killed here last summer doing same thing. I worry by plugging pipe on discharge side I could risk pipe bursting blowing out the dam

I would get an "aqua view" or "vexilar" or other brand of underwater camera. These cameras are used mostly for ice fishing but you can take it out on a small boat. You will be able to locate the pipe with it and see whats going on without risking your safety. I use my camera all the time for looking at my out flow pipe, checking fish structure or just to see where the fish are hanging out.

I would not attempt any fix until you know what your dealing with. Don't go in the water until you know where the pipe is, then mark it with a jug on a rope with a weight so you know where it is. When you know whats going on come back and the experts here will give you ideas on how to fix it.

Another way to find pipe that is low tech uses a 2 x 4 you poke around with. If you have the strength, then rebar would also work. A depth finder also make the pipe visible. If visibility better than 4' then I would go down with a snorkel. I have messed around such a lot and know the dangers.

Good idea on poking around! I forgot that I have a 4' or 5' long stainless steel 1/4" dia. rod with a 5/16" bearing welded on the bottom end, and a 12" long or so handle welded to the top. Easy to push into the ground when looking for tiles or septic leach fields. The ball bearing makes it a lot easier to pull it out of the ground - the dirt doesn't grab onto the rod.

The pond should eventually drain down to the level of, or just below the level of, the actual leak.

If the leak is too slow, then maybe you want to pump out some water until you can actually safely access the stand pipe/drain pipe.

My pond is about 1 acre. It was built 50 years ago. A guy purchased the property to the north within the past 20 years. The guy has decided to block the overflow drain pipe which allows the water to flow over the dam causing erosion. When I asked him about this issue he stated he wanted the dam to wash out. What can I do to stop him from allowing the dam to be destroyed?

Welcome to PBF Ken,

I'm not sure I understand your post. Are you saying the overflow pipe for your pond is on your neighbor's land and he plugged it up so it will washout your dam (on your land)?

The dam is on his property also. the rest of the pond is on my property.

Tell the bonehead that he might beresponsible for downstream damage

He might also be responsible for your loss of "pond pleasure" if it drains your part of the shared pond, and loss of value in your property without the value of a pond on your property. Maybe, maybe not, but the discussion could be enough to change his plan.

I would contact you county surveyor and see what the laws are before he does irreversible damage. If he is breaking the law, he may have to rebuild the dam and compensate you for any damages you have. Alternatively, he may have the right to remove the dam (but certainly not to cause damage down stream). In our area, he would not be able to block the drain because it is backing water up on your place (water as "the common enemy" doctrine). If this is the law in your area, it would require him to reopen the drain, but would likely not prevent him from removing the dam. It is always worth trying to reason with him before escalating the situation, but it would be good to do some homework on the laws so you know your bargaining position. BTW- He (and you) may also have access to the entire pond (on the water) if it extends onto his property. In a perfect world, each of you would recognize the advantages of having the shared pond and work together, but shared ponds (or other property) often lead to conflict.

I keep the pond stocked for my grandchildren and neighbors to bring their kids fishing and picnicking anytime they want. He fishes it which is fine with me. He has another pond that is entirely on his property in which he catches the fish that I stock and puts them into his pond. I have contacted an attorney in my county that actually just finished up a civil case very similar to mine and he won the case. I just hate having to go to court over a matter that could be settled civilly like adults.

Thanks for the replys

That's why I sold my old place sharing an 8 acre pond with several owners...half the owners were supportive and half adamantly opposed doing anything to improve the pond even if the supportive half paid the entire costs.

One guy threatened to sue me if I paid for state approved sterile grass carp for placement in to the pond to help control crazy levels of aquatic vegetation that was choking off the pond. He stated "grass carp will over-populate our pond".

Another guy at a home owners meeting went ballistic because he said Cutrine Plus granules would harm his lawn and trees via the water table and he would not allow us to put any chemicals into the pond.

Finally had to say "Cya" to the halfwits.

in my case I'm the only one that cares about the pond. The local cemetery owns about 10' of 1 end and they do nothing with it. The neighbor to the north owns about 1/4 of it but he owns the dam. He does mow his portion of the pond and he fishes it. The pond was built by the previous owner of the property when I bought the place, and the previous owner of the property where the dam is located allowed the dam to be placed in its location.

Sorry for your situation. Some folks just make life difficult for others.

Well my neighbor finally returned my call today. He is willing to set down and be adults about this and maybe we can agree on something mutual.

he may just be tired of mowing the dam, so that may be your fix.