Update: Only 26 months later! We started the siphon last night on the fourth attempt. 1st = didn't have hose in right way so pumped most of the water back into pond. 2nd = ball too flexible and conformed around straps to allow major leaks. 3rd = straps came loose. 4th = we made sure hose was in right direction, straps were tight, two balls were in pipe and heavy iron plate over end. Worked fine. Just have to ensure have enough water on backside to pull up and over the dam. Solid 8" diameter stream of water shooting out the end.

Weather has changed. Been getting into freezing temps at night last few nights. Worried that pond temp dropping to point that fish moving to bottom; but don't really think so yet so decided to go ahead. We put a great big cage over the end so we could get an idea if it is sucking out fish. Checked this morning. Expected loads of bullheads; but cage only contained two dead channel cats (about 1# and 3#).

We'll see how it goes; but I like having the siphon pipe buried so don't have to worry about it weathering and it is not in the way.

FWIW: We had a few rains recently and the spillway was running over. After about 9 hours of full siphon flow, the spillway is still running over this morning and I couldn't tell that the water level had dropped any.

[Linked Image from i108.photobucket.com]