I might have some useful information....I live in Central Ohio and dug a 100' well to feed my pond in May 2025. The well and 100 feet of 1" line trenched to the pond cost me $8,300 - 4 quotes, all exactly the same. To run underground electric to the well head from my barn 100' away was $3,000. I get 12 gpm. The well pump is activated by a standard light switch inside my barn. I think a switch is the simplest way to manage it, and it's generally foolproof. We talked about a float, but there really was no reason for it. It's pretty simple to just flip a switch when more water is needed. My 1.15-acre pond was dug in April 2024, and it gets very little runoff because we had to have dams built around the entire circumference in order to get a reasonable depth because of shallow bedrock. When we discovered the bedrock, we knew lack of runoff would be an issue, and a well was probably going to be needed. When full, it will max out at around 6.5'-7', with shallower areas. I have run the well 24/7 since mid-June 2025. The July and August heat (80-90 degrees) has really slowed the filling rate. In addition to evaporation, I think the embankment walls are absorbing a lot of the new water, slowly sealing the clay walls as the level rises. Theoretically, it should be gaining 1 inch per two days, and was almost keeping up with that early on, but as the water reached new clay and absorbed into the walls and the summer heat intensified, the fill rate has really slowed. I've gained around 20 inches in 65 days. Electric should increase about $75/month for 1/2 hp well pump running 24/7. The well has been a great move for me. Any questions, I can answer.
