Hobby Farmer,

Welcome to the site. You are correct in that there are a lot of good people here to post advice and answers.

I'm in South Dakota, but live in a relatively flat area that has some major flooding in the spring. A couple of items to think about if you are looking to locate in a flat area that is subject to flooding.

First is the location (elevation) where you would put the house, as well as an access road. You obviously don't want these to be at risk from flood waters. Look carefully into what the normal high water mark is, and then assume it will go even higher. We're having record flooding in SD, and this looks to be a trend.

As for geothermal tubes running across the bottom of your pond, I would consult with an expert in your area. In SD most people use deep vertical holes, as the temperature is warmer farther down. In a pond you'd be at only 34-36 C in the winter time.

Finally, the pond. Remember that if you are counting on filling your pond with flood waters, that fish will be able to come in and out with those flood waters. I know guys with ponds next to one of our minor rivers. Every spring when the river floods, their ponds get a new dose of sediment, along with carp, bullheads and other rough fish. It is much easier to manage a fishery if you can control the amount and quality of water entering the pond.

If the groundwater levels are sufficiently high to support an excavated pond, make sure you build up a berm around the pond so that floodwater cannot enter. The other option is to look at more rolling country were you could put a dam across a drainage.

Bill