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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41 |
Does anyone know of a way to retrofit my residential well, to avoid the cost of digging another one, to accommodate keeping a three acre pond at full pool? For example, can I T off before the bowl to bypass the pressure issues related with running a pump for long periods? I am more than likely going to need to do something in the area of supplementing due to a lack of runoff. Any advice, knowledge, experience, help or direction would be helpful.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,948 Likes: 9
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,948 Likes: 9 |
How many GPM is your well or pump rated for? You will need at least 14 gpm for the entire day to keep the pond full.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,975 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,975 Likes: 277 |
How many GPM is your well or pump rated for? Make that "pump AND well" - how much can the pump deliver, and how much will come out of the well. Our two deep wells have pumps that will deliver 11-12 GPM. But they will run out of water after an hour or 15 minutes, respectively.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling ![[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ed/b5/e7/edb5e7f935843b996cf52be593c9ebd2--smoothie-smooth-collie.jpg)
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
Submersible or shallow well? What's the condition of the well screen?
When I had the well dug 2 years ago, it was put in with the future thought of a geothermal "open" heat system that dumped into the pond. I also figured that I'd want to use the well for irrigation at some point in time, so the well driller sunk a 4" submersible well, BUT he put 2 screens together just in case I wanted to install a larger pump at a later date. It's a 3/4hp 220v motor now, and it pumps 28 gpm. They tested the well, and the soil/water carrying capacity will support 100 gpm if I upgrade the pump.
That Fall, I wanted to see how it would work, so when I went on my annual deer hunting trip to Northern Wi. I let the pump run 24/7. I rigged up a 1 1/2 pvc pipe to 4" pvc pipe adapter and let'r rip for the 7 days that I was gone. My neighbor checked on the place once a day and noted the progress. It came up a bunch in that week, but the downfall to plumbing it the way that I did left 0 water pressure in the house. That wasn't a big deal because I wasn't home, but I need to figure out something else if I ever need to do that again. I think the pond came up 3' in that time, and it would have been much greater if there wasn't sandy soil surrounding it.
The pump pushed the water to the pond before it hit the bladder tank, and I DID see an increase in my electric bill that month!
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41 |
Okay, for starters, I have no idea how many GPM my pump/well is rated for now. From what I remember, it is somewhere around 200-250' deep, but the water table here is really shallow. My neighbor has lived here forever and offered to "witch it", but for aesthetic reasons, I put it where I wanted it. While he was cleaning out a pond on his farm across the street last summer, he hit water at 20' and swears that the old home place well that waters his cows about 100' away from his newly renovated pond, is only 20' deep. That being said, I need something I can run once full, about three months a year to maintain level. I'm sure it will run for a while at first to get to full pool. The power bill will just have to take a backseat, for the moment, I have to protect my $22,000 pond investment! I still need good flow to the house though. I have options, within a reasonable amount distance (to access the power disconnect), I own thirty acres, but my pond and power are on the front ten.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
The GPM and the continuous capability/capacity of your well are equally important.
Think about it. One inch of water over three acres is 81,000 gallons. A foot is just shy of a million gallons. Figure out what your well can produce and go from there.
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
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 119
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 119 |
Take a 100 gallon stock tank and see how it takes to fill it and then do the math. That is how I found mine per advice here on the forum. Of course if you have a bigger tank that might give a better average.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
Take a 100 gallon stock tank and see how it takes to fill it and then do the math. That is how I found mine per advice here on the forum. Of course if you have a bigger tank that might give a better average. That's a good way. When you do that, try and use a hose as short and as large in dia. that you can. You'll get a more accurate well and pump capability measurement that way. (less restriction in a larger, shorter hose)
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Submersible or shallow well? What's the condition of the well screen?
When I had the well dug 2 years ago, it was put in with the future thought of a geothermal "open" heat system that dumped into the pond. I also figured that I'd want to use the well for irrigation at some point in time, so the well driller sunk a 4" submersible well, BUT he put 2 screens together just in case I wanted to install a larger pump at a later date. It's a 3/4hp 220v motor now, and it pumps 28 gpm. They tested the well, and the soil/water carrying capacity will support 100 gpm if I upgrade the pump.
That Fall, I wanted to see how it would work, so when I went on my annual deer hunting trip to Northern Wi. I let the pump run 24/7. I rigged up a 1 1/2 pvc pipe to 4" pvc pipe adapter and let'r rip for the 7 days that I was gone. My neighbor checked on the place once a day and noted the progress. It came up a bunch in that week, but the downfall to plumbing it the way that I did left 0 water pressure in the house. That wasn't a big deal because I wasn't home, but I need to figure out something else if I ever need to do that again. I think the pond came up 3' in that time, and it would have been much greater if there wasn't sandy soil surrounding it.
The pump pushed the water to the pond before it hit the bladder tank, and I DID see an increase in my electric bill that month! I did a similar setup for my pond, but my well has a pretty low recovery rate at 15gpm. I installed a simple ball valve to keep water pressure at 45psi for the travel trailer we use there and it kept the switch from shutting off the well. I was worried at first if the pump would perhaps begin to "dry run" from the low recovery so I adjusted the low-pressure side of the switch to not kick on and it would just shut the pump off when/if the pressure dropped below 40psi---it never dropped. With 1.5 surface acres and only 15gpm, I would have accomplished more wizzing on a forest fire. 3 month-24/7 run was an extra $300 in electric cost
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,285 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,285 Likes: 1 |
 "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." Stephen W. Hawking
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Take a 100 gallon stock tank and see how it takes to fill it and then do the math. That is how I found mine per advice here on the forum. Of course if you have a bigger tank that might give a better average. Or a second hand and 5 G bucket....
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau ![[Linked Image from i1261.photobucket.com]](http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii582/teehjaeh57/I_subscribe_zps69249d43.gif)
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
I can't do the 5 gallon bucket thingie. The water comes out of the hose so hard that it shoots right up out of the bucket! Heck, out of a 50' 3/4" hose I can shoot water a good 30' without a nozzle on the hose! (40-60 pressure switch I believe......) 
Last edited by esshup; 04/16/09 09:35 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Okay then...guess the 100G is the way to go...if you have one handy.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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