Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Looking for help with permanent siphon drain

Hello everyone,
First post on here. I figured this may be the place where I can find some good information. I have a 1.2 acre pond at my house that was built back in the 50’s. The original drain is a metal pipe that a tree has previously fallen on and bent it. Water will trickle out but something is stuck down far enough to where we can’t reach it. As of now the pond is creating out of one corner. It doesn’t bother me too bad but the dirt is eating out back towards the lake. I have plans to drain it down and pour a concrete run around because it’s feasible at the moment. I am wanting to put a permanent siphon pump that has the water level control on it. I have found it online but nothing showing a way to make it myself. Mainly the part that once the water level rises to the desired level, then the siphon pump sucks out and drops the level back to normal. Does anyone have a diagram or something to explain this?

I believe several people at Pond Boss have worked with this company (Pond Dam Piping) and given them good reviews.

Here is a link to their diagram for a basic siphon system. It also lists some of the "design rules" you need to follow.

Siphon System Diagram

Good luck on your project!

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much. Any recommendation on pipe size for the 1 acre pond?

I’m using 12 inch pvc pipe

Do you think I would need 12” or could go with less for the size pond?

It is not just the size of the pond that controls the sizing of the pond overflow pipe. The amount of watershed draining into your pond is probably the most important factor.

What size is your damaged metal pipe? If the dam hasn't washed out since the 1950s, then that size is probably sufficient.

(The siphon will actually flow more water than a gravity drain pipe of the same pipe size. Therefore, if you match your existing pipe size, then you should be good with a properly constructed siphon system.)

Awesome. I think the existing pipe is 12in. I can barely see it under the water but haven’t ever actually measured it. Thank you for the help.