I am the new owner of an approx 1/4 acre pond. 150'x70'... 12' at its deepest. Clay lined (so I was told). The pond was dug 11/22 next to an existing 1 acre farm pond that has been there for decades, so I assume it has the same soil makeup.
My pond was built next to the existing pond with a bridge (or dam) in between, there is a12" overflow pipe in the dam. My pond will overflow into the neighbor's pond, and then he has an overflow outlet on the opposite side.
The pond is fed by runoff water. It is at the bottom of a development so it gets water fast. The whole pond filled in approx 6 months.
Everything seemed fine. However as soon as it got full, it started losing water. I can't tell if it's the new pond settling, evaporation, or a leak.
Details: The pond has lost 7" over the last month.. So basically 1.75"/week or .25"/day. I live in upstate NY, and in that month it has only rained 1 day, and it has been unseasonably hot.
From what I read on here and online elsewhere, that seems somewhat normal of evaporation....Im not sure if I am looking too far into it or not, I just hate seeing the level drop after it was finally nice and full.
Im new here, I tried attaching 5 photos of the project, let me know if you guys cant see them or if you need any more details. Thanks in advanced!
Exact evaporation rates are difficult to estimate because there are so many atmospheric variables. However, 1/4" per day of losses during unseasonably warm weather (which is also usually dry) seems to be about right.
Was the water level in your pond higher than in the adjacent pond? If so, then there may be a slight leak through to that pond.
That should NOT be a problem if the old pond usually stays nearly full. You might place a water gauge staff in both ponds. After the next big rain fills your pond, mark both pond levels. Evaporative losses should be roughly the same from both ponds. However, if yours is leaking, it should go down faster. If yours is just leaking to the adjacent pond, then it should go down faster UNTIL the pond levels equalize, and then your rate of water loss should slow substantially.
