Many ponds are filled with surface runoff only!

You actually don't want to try to build a pond on a creek. I doubt you would be able to get the permits, and any big rain is going to try very hard to blow out your dam.

Your location generally gets plenty of rain, combined with a moderate evaporation rate. That means a "right-sized" pond should stay full most of the time.

It is difficult to estimate the watershed required to support a pond since there are so many variables - such as soil type, cover vegetation, slope, etc.

However, the estimate for your area is 1.5 to 2 acres of watershed should support an acre-foot of pond.

For example, a 2-acre pond with an average depth of 8 feet would require 16 acres of drainage (watershed) if using the 2 acres per acre foot estimate.

All of that watershed does not even need to be on your property. The surface water that drains from an uphill neighbor's property is generally yours to collect.

If it turns out that you do not have enough watershed for a 2 acre pond, then you may be able to build a 3/4 acre pond. Lots of people on Pond Boss have a lot of fun with ponds that size (or smaller)!


Do you know how to read a topographic map and estimate the watershed above a given point? If so, pull up your property and do a rough calculation for your preferred location.

While you are doing that, you can also look at the satellite image of ponds on other properties in your area. Look at the watershed that feeds those ponds and you should be able to fine tune the regional estimate that I gave you above.

Talking to your neighbors with ponds may be your best resource. You can ask what went right on their ponds, but also ask what they would do differently if they did it again. If they were the owners when the pond was constructed I suspect they will have several good pieces of advice.

Good luck on your future pond project!


P.S. If you are not confident reading the topo maps you can send me your location via a private message if you want. It will literally take me 5 minutes to pull up your property and do the calculation.