Nathan,

The reason I wanted to have the drain pipe two feet below the surface is first the ice on the pond can get up to 10" thick in winter. With the pipe well below the surface I don't have to worry about the water freezing in the pipe. If the pipe is at the level of the pond it acts a a culvert and water may freez in the pipe. I have been online and still haven't found any answer to my question. It seems most of the articels or manual I have read deal with drain pipes in large lakes not small ponds. If I find any good articals I'll let all know. Let me know what you decide to do about your situation.