Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions creek started flowing without rain

The creek that runs through my place was almost dry last week but for a few potholes. We had our first really cold snap since then. We only had about 3/10 inch rain with no runoff, five days ago. Yesterday, I noticed the pot holes seemed fuller, and today there is a trickle of water going between them. Is this simply groundwater no longer being used by the trees and shrubs that is being released into the creek? I never noticed this in the three previous early winters we have lived here because of sufficient rain to keep plenty of surface flow going. We are now into our fifth straight month with very little rain.

Yes that is correct.The trees stop taking up water and water starts to flow.

Interesting. I've got big oaks and hickories all around my pond. The pond is only 2.5 yrs old, so I don't think the tree roots are down below the water level yet, but they may be taking some of my water. I'm still losing .25" a day, and have had very little rain in the last several months. (Less than an inch.) Ill see if the water loss slows down, now that all the trees have dumped their leaves into the pond.

The ground is probably frozen not allowing water to seep in
Therefore it's running on the surface

Ground is not frozen. Ground rarely freezes here in AR.

Or a rural water line broke some place or is leaking badly. Happens more often than one would think.

Had that happen to my dry creek once. Dry summer morning, went hunting, came back and the creek was running. Neighboring pond owner had broke dam. I thought I was in the twilight zone.