Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Good source for topo maps?

I have two or three areas where I could build a small pond. I am pretty sure one is out due to extensive runoff area that causes flooding every three years or so. I would like to get detailed topo maps to design the two other ponds, and historical rainfall information so I can design the overflow pipes and spillway.

Where can I get some reliable and detailed information?.

Thanks.

I remember seeing posts here that had a few web links to what you're looking for Ed, you may be able to "search" them up. The site I use is http://terraserver-usa.com
It takes some digging around, but surface & topo maps are there. Should assist with watershed area.
For pond construction, runoff, and overflow...you definately need a copy of this :

http://wildlife.tamu.edu/publications/590hb.pdf

Ed,

Go to Topomapshere and type in the name of your town on the left side. Then select a large map size and 1/24k on the left sidebar. You can navigate around the map by clicking on the map. The only way I was able to print the map was to copy the whole page into a Microsoft Word document. Not sure how computer savvy you are so I will assume the worst! Click in the page, not on the map and then do a Ctrl A. Then open a blank Microsoft Word document and click inside that and click Ctrl V. From here you should be able to print out the topo map. Any questions, just holler.

Can't help you with the historic rainfall in the Houston area, but I suggest you consult with Noah of the ARK!

Thank for your replies. Those are really nice resources. I may get that laminated topo map that they are offering, so I have it on hand without a computer.

I am about 30 min from TAMU. I have to go down there one of these days and meet some of the people.

Now for the next step, would you know of a site that automatically calculates acre of watershead either by selecting a low point, or by outlining an area?

The only software I found were CAD (Computer Aided Drafting)programs which do 3-D modeling. Didn't look at prices but all of them that I know about run into 4 digits and are not user friendly. The websites I looked at were not nearly specific unough for what you want. Couldn't you be like me and take a wild assed guess based on the slope of the land?
In my area I would search out an old farmer and ask for his opinion. Those guys have forgotten more about the land than I will ever know. WAIT!! You are in Texas, better look for an old Rancher!!

Ed, you are too funny ! I'm trying here, but there sure are some variables involved. When I visit my Pop, that puts me semi-close to you...would like to see your layout, just for the fun of it ! Here's the best I can do with a runoff calculator :

http://www.interwet.psu.edu/R1.htm

Ed,

Use this link for annual city waterfall. http://www.city-data.com/ click your state and then city. Scroll down to chart of annual monthly rainfall. Add em up and divide by 12. Close enough.

good luck,
lloydian

Randy, I did take a guess and I invited a dozer contractor to start clearing the land for the pond. Fortunately, while he was waiting for me, a rancher showed up and told us about the 3 yr floods in that seasonal creek. Talking about change of plans on the spot! You are so right about talking to the people who lived on the land their whole life. I have a neighbor out there, who knows as much about ponds and fish as anyone on PondBoss - with the exception of few scientific types. I need to show up with a sixpack one day and pick his brain some more.

I have AutoCAD R14 on my work laptop. That is a good idea. I can download the topo maps, or draw the watershed based on the topo maps and have it calculate the area. Than use the runoff calculator from Eastland.

E, you are welcome to come by. I don't live out there, but I am always looking for an excuse to go. Let me know next time you are heading that way.

lloydian, thanks for the link.

Thanks for the info! I had lost the terra server address in a virus and forgotten the name. Now I have an arial view of the pond and surrounding land and can better plan our pond addition.

The terra server site is a really good one. I have also used topozone.com. The local US Soil Conservation office will also have aerial photos for the land in question. They usually update the photos on a biannual basis.

JP

It will be helpful to know the soil types in the subject areas. Your NRCS office can provide soil maps. Along with soil types, and more importantly, they have should have all the detailed mechanical and organic properties of those specific soils. Yes, the soil maps were sampled many years ago and are only to a depth of 5' max, but they will be a good starting source. Another good source that I have used is the state DNR well drilling information. If there are established homes with wells in the area, there will be drilling information detailing the types of soils encountered during drilling (ie; clay, sand, gravel, etc). I don't know if the TX DNR offers this info on-line or not; some of the midwest states do. The Ag. soils maps and tech. info are also sometimes within the official State website, usually buried somewhere in the DNR or USDA section.

Ed,

I found these links to be useful for waether data:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/obslocal.php?war...ST&offset=21600

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=fwd&CiTemplate=1&map.x=237&map.y=259

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/climate/cll/normals/clldec.htm

Gator