Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Well Dang it, looks like we in for a dry summer again!

Well,

I hate to say it, but looks like a dry summer again. Guess I will continue my rennovations and pray for rain!

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/drought.htm

Gator

I'm so far behind in rain that if I went out in a boat with an ice chest full of water I think the fish would jump in.

Going into summertime with current 100 degree temperature - main pond two feet low - NOT GOOD...

N.E. Texas

I am getting a little nervous myself

Unfortunately, I'm getting used to it.

The Weather channel is showing Iowa in the middle of a (rain event) :rolleyes: My sidewalk is barely covered with sprinkles, this pattern is exactly like last year, they talk about these giant fronts moving in with rain for days on end, then..NOTHING! I started this year 3ft down from my normal levels, my fish are already showing signs of stress. This is way to early in the year for us to start seeing this pattern. Last year the dry spell started in mid July and I thought that was kind of early. If this year continues to follow last years pattern it could get ugly

I got 3 or 4 good rains with some good runoff. One of my 1 acre ponds almost filled and the other one came up about 3 ft. It was still about 4 ft. low. Both are still muddy, like other area ponds, and I figure to have pretty well lost this years production. Both have since dropped about 16 inches and all fish are skinny.

When the rains came both were in really sad shape. My thought was that they might help me make it through the summer. I've developed a pretty well deserved negative attitude about rain. With the exception of 2004, we are in an 8 year drought.

I now talk about the past by saying, "You know, back when it used to rain".

Take hope! Those long range forecasts can be seriously flawed! I've seen many a time when they predicted a mild winter and we got a very bad one and vice versa. In fact many times it was more reliable to go with just the opposite of what they predict. It's really hard to predict that far in advance.

I know you guys have been in a serious drought and it's not uncommon down there but sometimes weather patterns suddenly change.

It's rather cool up here in northeastern Indiana right now. It's just before noon and only 54 F. degrees! My trout love it!

I hate to say it, but we need a good tropical storm to come in and break up.

Be careful what you ask for burgermeister!

I just returned from the Zephyr Pond. I must say I am in a state of deep depression. You can almost see the pond level dropping. With over 100 degree weather and a fairly strong southwest wind that feels like a blast furnace, I'm starting to get real worried. I had planned to install aeration soon, but not sure if I will have any water to aerate. These day time temperature and it's only June. It don't look good.

heybud- I don't think you need to worry too much. It is always hot and dry in this part of Texas in the summer. Your pond has been there for awhile and it must have a deep reserve or you would not have 9# flathead catfish still alive. I would be careful to not overstock until it is full and you have more experience with the variation in pond levels. Check into water wells to help you keep it full. The story about the adjacent land with a plugged flowing spring makes me think you have plenty of underground water. Have you measured the deepest part to see how much reserve you have? A 200' well in this area will only cost you $2500-3000.

Mr. Willy:

Drove from home (Columbus Junction) to Panora Saturday for family get-together. Drove 195 miles, through horrendous downpours on I-80 nearly all the way. Figured we hadda been getting some substantial rain at home.

Got home Sunday...0.15 inches. Wife gets pretty tired of hearing me gripe. I can't help getting discouraged. Never made it back to last year's starting point (and that was 3 feet from full) before it starting going down. No runnoff yet this year and already losing about 1/2" a day.

Here is the link to the national drought monitor, it gets printed every Sunday in our local paper here:

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

I hear you, I'm getting a little Condello envy, it seems his place keeps getting all the good rain around here and our pond keeps getting missed. Early yesterday morning south Lincoln got .625-1" of rain, our pond on the north side got zero. Our pond is still down about 22" right now.

My main pond, by the house, filled and overflowed the first year it was built. Eight years later, it has never again filled.

Here in Central Iowa, at least around my place, we have had lots of rain but that is because I don't have my own pond yet. As soon as I get one built, this place will dry up.

Dry weather in West iowa, where I live. Total rainfall in last 45 days:1.32"
Main pond has gone down another 1'+ in that time. Main problem has been the death of most/many of the trees I planted out this year. I hope to have a better springtime next year with more rain.

Matt - I was getting kind of curious about your new pond. Shorty's map is right on the money, 30mi north of Des Moines looks pretty good but as the local weather gurus say.. that"pesky" high over southern Iowa is keeping us on the dry side. Its interesting how much more in tune to the weather you are when you own a pond. Keep up the faith Matt, I figure once Ceadmin gets started on his pond, you, me, Shorty and Lkz5ia will start getting his rain.