Hi.
I'm planning on building a new reproduction pond this spring. It's very evident that my bluegill spawn just great in a lined pond, but I'd like to have a pond that's much more manageable in size so I can seine the fish easier. I need to have better control of the weeds, silt, size and water level than I do in my current lined ponds where I had to seam two liners together (big mistake) so I'm wondering if anybody has any experience or ideas on how to secure the edges of the liner so that the pond looks attractive.
I've already priced a piece of Firestone EPDM 45 mil liner that's 25' X 75'.
I'd have to follow the following parameters.
1. Uniform maximum depth of 5 feet.
2. Dependable bottom drain.
3. Aeration system
4. NO SEAMS
5. Steep banks
6. Maybe most importantly I would need to design the pond so that it fits on a slight slope. I'm estimating the overall dimensions to be about 12 X 50 feet with an average depth of 4 feet. I think this yields about 18,000 gallons.
My wife is adamant that the pond not look like a lined pond. I would be willing to bring in some giant flat stones or something like that to create a walkable bank.
One big deal is that when we have a rain event that no silt flows into the pond, so it would have to have some design to allow water flowing down the gentle hill to run around the pond.
I would put some vats of sand/gravel in one end to facilitate the spawning process.
I would also intend on using a traditional aeration system instead of circulation.
I have already acquired floating islands to help with nutrient uptake.
I can actually see this as a nice kids' fishing pond during the fall and summer.
If someone wants to really go wild on the design you could PM me and I'd be willing to pay or trade for the design work.
I'm a little worried about the project, because even though my existing lined ponds grow fish like crazy, they look pretty junky as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks,
Bruce
