Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Drought and Water Table Discussion

Hello, I am in Tennesee. My area is roughly 20 inches below normal, in terms of rainfall. I have a pond that I've repaired and been waiting for rainfall to fill up. It has a small spring that runs maybe 20 or 30 gallons per minute in the wet months and maybe four gallons a minute in the dry months, in a typical year. Right now, because of droubt conditions, it is barely running, maybe a half gallon per minute.

If we are 20 inches below normal, how much rain will it take to replentish the water table? Will it take one 5 inch flood? Or will it take a full 20 inches? This is new to me. Old timers I know have never seen a drought like this. Any water table experts advice or good ole country boy experience is appreciated.

It is a problem in the entire southeastern United States. It is something we are not used to. Even 90 year old men haven't had experience around here.

Thanks!

Hi,Im in texas and our drought ended last spring.Be careful what you wish for.My pond filled in one rain and Ive lost my spillway 4 times this summer.To answer your question it depends on how much run off you catch.

QUOTE "Even 90 year old men haven't had experience around here."

For us Texans the Old timers are saying the same thing accept in our case it is they have never seen all the rain we have gotten during the past summer.

The old saying in these parts is if you don't like the weather in Texas just wait a day it will change. And what a change we've had sense the draught.

I had a new pond built 2 years ago and I still don't know how well it holds water cause every week or 2 we have gotten large runnoff rains that keep it overflowing or filled to the brim.

May you guys in the southeast get blessed as much we have been.

We spent 8 years in a drought like that. I had to restock a couple of my ponds. We feel your pain.

Well, the rain sure came last night! I haven't been down to the pond yet but I bet it's way up! It gets the run off so if I get an inch of rain the pond gets about 2 or 3. It will be interesting to see what I have back there today. We sure had a storm last night!

Cam

robinson, the connection between rainfall, seepage/infiltration, and water table volumes can be really tricky and depends on the geology in yer area. in nor cal here, the rainy season goes from about november to april. then it is virtually and completely dry from may to october. we typically see a good lag time of several months in most CA central valley settings where water table levels are at their lowest in november - january, and it takes several months of rain and many inches (>10) to kick the water levels back up, the highest water table levels are typically seen in may - july. long bunch of stuff to not help you much, but maybe there is a message in there somewhere. hopefully yer water table scenario reacts more quickly to precipitation and infiltration to get that spring going again. good luck.

Robinson,

I noticed on the Weather Channel today that Tennessee was looking a bit wet. Any of that rain make its way to you?

Russ, parts of TN received a nice rainfall. Mainly middle to western Tennessee. We got 4.7 inches slow soaker for the entire system at my farm. I wasn't suprised, but there was no runoff. A blessing nontheless. I'm somewhate worried about the long term affects on the water table and how long it takes to replentish. Dave hit on it the closest of anyone. We need a giant flood. Parts of Tn are 18" - 24" short for the year. And it has been about a three year drought, so far. We are something closer to 3 or 4 feet overall short or deficit, and I was wondering when or if that kind of deficit can be replentished. I figured maybe some of the more drought stricken residents might know.

Thanks for asking!

ROB, yes it can be replenished. We solved an 8 year drought in one rainy year.

Here's a web site that's helped me track the historic drought recovery in your area. It's especially helpful to me as I now live 2,300 miles from my little pond and creek! Tennessee Valley Rain Guages