Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help The future of our Ponds.

Hello.

At the start of 2022, with global warming, I am asking myself a few questions.

Does our pond will have to be deeper.

Plant trees to reduce the heating of water to the maximum.

Make sections where snow accumulates rather than being sweep by the winds.

Are there other things we can do.

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2021 was cooler than 2020.

2021 was cooler than the 5-year average from 2016-2020.

It is tough to speak much more truth - without the thread becoming hopelessly politicized.

Personally, I enjoy reading about all of the novel projects you pursue on your ponds and your aquatic residents!

I hope you keep chasing those dreams!

azteca, in my view deepening is good whether the climate gets hotter, colder, or stays the same. Last year we had an unbelievably bad spell of record-low temps in my neck of the woods, but my fish did fine. Heck, even the warm-loving CNBG survived in my 1/8th acre forage pond, probably because it is deeper than it should be.

My main BOW has 25-26 foot depths near the dam and a very large area of 15 plus foot depths. Unlike every other pond I saw in the area, it never froze over, just had a bit of ice in the shallows. I ended up hosting just about every Canada goose within ten miles!

Fish are very adaptable and thus we have different strains, species, and sub-species. Some, like Florida bass, CNBG, tilapia, brown trout, can take higher temps better than others, such as Northern bass, walleye, and brook trout. Recently researchers discovered, to their surprise, that oceanic fish flourished during a time when ocean temps soared abruptly. Odds are good that you'll come through whatever happens with flying colors!

We had a warmer then average Dec, actually the second warmest Dec on record, the warmest was in 1889, I guess global warming was rampant even back then.

I think that the predicted changes in climate will move slowly enough for most fish to do OK in the short term. However climate scientists have predicted more sever weather events, and more records are being set over wider geographic areas. The same attributes that are suggested to help with severe weather events should help with climate change too: deep ponds, good emergency spillways, nutrient control, etc.

Hello.

HA HA HA there are sceptic here, me too a bit.

Last night it was close to minus 28c and we expect other night around minus 25c and more.

I can tell you that the aeration holes of my ponds are very small.
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You may be enjoying palm trees and orange plantations in Quebec before you know it!

This thread got me to wondering what the impact would be on Quebec if the global warming emergency crowd turns out to be correct. A whole catastrophic 2C warming if we (or more accurately, China) don't repent our sinful carbon ways!

Average temp in Quebec 5.4 C. After the climate apocalypse, all the way up to 7.4C -- which happens to be New York state's average. Sounds pretty survivable, actually, though I wouldn't invest in orange groves!

As usual, I’ve had very little rain either last year or this year. My couple of acres pond is down 5 ft and the 1/4 acre one is really hurting. Smaller water holes are all dry. Such is West Texas.

Dave:

We normally have around 24" of snow by now. We have had between 2" and 3"......... A well is looking like it's going to have to happen.

Tomorrow will make 2 years since I had what I would call a big run off event, and the first and last time my pond was almost full. So far I've had my best run off events in Jan. and Feb., while the ground is frozen. I'm hoping I'll get lucky again this year.

Very little rain this fall. My big pond's 13 acres at full pool, and at the midpoint, I would feel comfortable walking across it right now.

Wow, hate to hear that, Al. Do you plan on doing any work to take advantage of low water, like habitat enhancement or dock repair?

We had pretty dry spells during the summer months for the last 2 years which enabled me to finish my 4th pond and attached wetland. We are fortunate to have good water running through our place in the way of springs and an artesian shallow aquifer. My 4th pond was about 2' down from full pool before last night's modest rain (still dark here). It seems to be continuing to inch fuller (no real direct watershed - similar to my 3rd pond and a 1/4 acre wetland/sump that we built to get the dirt for our barn pad). I feel for those who have been in bad droughts. They predict more extreme weather events in the future but I think that overall, the Midwest is supposed to continue getting good rainfall. Time will tell. Not really sure how good the climate science has progressed on predicting mega trends, but at least in my area, they do a much better job predicting weather than when I was young. Keep in mind that a couple weather events does not make the climate. One may not be able to predict with certainty if it will be warmer next week, but its a pretty safe bet that next summer will be warmer than this winter.

Well, since you asked. Water's currently around 3'-4' low.

6 cedar brush piles reloaded. Each is about 8-10' in diameter, and should be completely under water this spring.


1 porcelain tree stump


2 slightly rotund ruminants helping remove foliage.

Hello.

Melting glaciers are expected to raise the water table.
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I think they will have to melt a lot to give me more water unless it increases rain fall. Wells are over 600' deep in my area. lol

But I do hate for the glaciers to melt.

Hello.


600 feet deep, for how many gallons of water per hour.
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Hello.

It is not good to have trees near the pond, but 100feet should be OK.

I have Vernal-pool Wetlands in my woodland about 100feet from my pond.

Those humid media that act like giant sponge, absorbing rainwater and letting the water slowly evaporate.

Wouldn't that be good way to moderate the effects of drought on our pond. And keeping the water table high.

For those who can have a little wood.
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Holy cow, Al! You are waaaaay ahead in the game. I've felled a few pine trees -- that's all I have in close proximity to the pond -- but didn't try trimming the tops. Good for smaller fish, not so good when you hook a big one near the tree.

There has been no significant rain on our farm or in the watershed of our creek for 10 weeks. However, the water level in the creek has risen substantially!

We have sandy loam soils that transmit a lot of groundwater in the top 6-8' as springs. The tallgrass prairie has evolved roots that easily reach to that level.

When the grass goes dormant in the late fall, the water in the creek goes up as the groundwater flows can finally outpace the transpiration of the plants!

It is an impressive ecological system that has certainly adapted to survive pretty significant droughts.

Al, that was some expensive Mallard food! LOL.

I'm not sure, I don't live on or have a well on the property yet. I called a guy about drilling a well for me and he told me how deep wells are in my area, then I talked to a couple of people that live across the street from my property and they told me their wells are over 600' deep.

We're still considering some french rouen drakes.