Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New member seeking input on pond construction

Install primary spillway according to rainfall and watershed. Oversize a tad.

ALSO install an emergency spillway in case primary becomes overcome with volume or gets clogged by detritus. Dam failures often occur when water runs OVER the top of the dam, eroding backfill on toe.

I recommend trickle tube set 18-36" below freeboard straight shot to toe of dam - cheapest, simplest, most reliable primary spillway design. Do not install standpipe spillway design - it's a matter of time before it fails in my experience and is far more expensive to install.

If you want to regulate water level you can also install a siphon system - frankly I think these are overkill unless you need to fluctuate water levels during the year....but why?

Be sure to mandate installation of at least 2 antiseep collars on primary spillway pipe hand tamped clay around pipe and collars.

Install broken concrete at toe of dam to prevent erosion - that water wil have a lot of force.

Emergency spillway does NOT need to be installed with rock unless you have a free source of broken concrete [ugly IMO], instead finish spillway with topsoil/black dirt and seed with native grasses as soon as project is completed. Rock is overkill IME - hopefully you'll never need to use your ES anyhow, but when you do, those deeply rooted native grasses will work just as well as rock for a fraction of the price.