Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam pond drain 1/4 acre pond

I am working on a small pond. It will be fed by controlled irrigation water and has very little area to fill from runoff as it is near the top of the hill. the pond is excavated so has only a very small dam. the max depth is about 16'. it is my understanding that I might want a drain in the top 1/3 to pull of warm water in the summer. I am planning on stocking with LMB, BG and RES. I am thinking of a siphon drain. Any input would be helpful.

What is the temp ranges in the summer?

What is the temp of the irrigation water?

Are you planning on aeration?

Dave,

I do not know the temp of the pond temp as of yet, it is just a hole at this point. The water comes just above the pond from an irrigation ditch from a nearby river and stays in the 50 degree range. It stays pretty hot here in the summer 90 degree days, 65 at night. In the winter the most we get is a light freeze. I am looking into aeration but it will not be the first year. I can let the water drop into the pond or make a mini waterfall before it enters the pond to help some. not planning on large LMB just some midsize ones, mostly just a place for future grandkids to fish and me to play. Dirt tractors and water what a great combo.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Those are some pretty moderate air temps so I'm not sure you would need to drain off anything. I think you might be asking for trouble throwing 50 degree water into an existing summertime pond.

What do you know about the water quality of the river water?