Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? French drains use for watershed? Good or bad

Looking at possibly using French drains from woods to help filter water to pond. Good idea or bad?

Are you trying to capture more/new water? or just prevent current erosion.

The water from the woods may be higher in nutrient load. Probably not as bad as a farm field though. Still better than no water, if you need it!!!

Needed water shed , plus right now water gets left to stagnate in woods!

It can't hurt, but French drains are put in subsurface. How will you do that without damaging a lot of tree roots?

Also just be aware that the water from the woods will be likely high in tannins, which will stain the pond water brown.

From the standpoint of a naturalist, it's a very bad idea. I've been out on several trips
With the local museum (Cleveland) taking old drainage systems out of woods to benefit local plant and amphibian populations. That stagnant water you're speaking of Is vital to amphibians such as spring peepers and spotted salamanders.
Most authorities now agree that water should be left to permeate the soil wherever possible. You can only do harm in draining healthy soil, as has been shown in decades of soil erosion research.

From a pond standpoint, give it a try, though the water might be high in nutrients of its surface run off, as opposed to soil-filtered.