Hello all,
I just logged in today and read old posts for about three hours. I picked up a good bit of information but I just wanted to say hi and get a bit of free advice.
I live in the beautiful Napa Valley and I am down stream from a neighbor who just put in a French drain from this large country estate and vineyard. For the first time ever I am getting water in my swale in the summer. The swale usually runs from the first rain until May. Now I am getting a constant flow of 100 gallons per hour and up to 1500 gallons per hour when he irrigates his yard and vineyard, usually four time a week.
This water has caused a HUGE mosquito problem in my yard a I am considering putting a pond in to capture the water for irrigation, beautify my yard and get rid of the swamp in my swale.
The area that I want to place the pond is approximately 150'X50' and serves as a swale in the winter. I am considering excavating a depression to create the pond. There will be little or no seepage in the area due to the thick clay that under the topsoil.
The area is within 100' of my house and I could easily run an air line from a compressor to the bottom of the pond for an aerators.
My question are:
1. Can a pond work in this small area?
2. What happens in the winter when the pond becomes a torrential river during heavy rains?
3. Is this enough water flow to keep up with evaporation?
4. Any tips?

Thanks
Cameron