Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Safe Structure

I have concerns about swimers on my pond. The pond is shared by about 11 households. I dont want someone jumping into the pond and impaling themselves on a tree branch or a pvc pipe. I thought about just posting signs but then I thought about all the crazy lawsuits that actualy get awarded. If someone were to jump in and get hurt even worse die from my structure I'm pretty sure a sign would not cover my butt.

So... my question is do any of you have any Ideas for swimmer safe structure? I have come up with a few but I thought I would run this by the forum to get some more Ideas.

So far I am going to use tires, plastic gutter, and Backer rod. The tires and plastic gutters have been discussed in other posts but i'll describe my backer rod idea.

I plan on cutting 4-5 foot strips of backer rod and anchoring them to a cinder block and sinking them in about 6-7 feet of water. Has anyone else tried this? Is there anything I need to worry about with using Backer Rod (decay, loss of bouyency, etc..) ? I was basically trying to simulate an emergent plant reef. I assume BG and LMB would frequent this structure.

I am going to gather up artificial christmas trees after christmas. Havent tried one yet, but dont see why they wouldn't be safe and work good?

I use cedar trees. They last a long time and are, I guess, safe.

I agree with DD1 use real xmas/cedar trees. If you lay them on their side they are about as safe of a structure type as you can get.

Brett,

That was also a worry of mine, as was getting fishing lines hung up. I decided free-floating single PVC pipes would take care of both problems. I cut the PVC pipes around 2.5 feet long. I plugged 1 end with clay ballast, causing them to sink to the bottom yet stand fairly upright. I placed them in "groves" of 20 or so. I think it would take a very freaky accident for them to hurt anyone. I think 99 times out of 100, they will just move out of the way when someone runs into them. I can also tell you they attract LMB.

bobad, that is one of the best ideas for structure I have ever heard!

Thanks Ric, but I'm sure I wasn't the first. Although safety was a motivation, I must confess I did it partly because I'm cheap and lazy.

Bobad, what do you mean by "clay ballast"? If you're talking about plugging one end with clay, what keeps it in place when it gets wet and wetter?

Dave,

I located a chunk of sticky clay along the bank, and stabbed the pipe about 6" into it. The clay sticks in the end of the pipe, and no way it's coming out. Drilling a 1/4" hole or 2 about 8-10" above the ballasted end ensures the pipes will sink without any help.

N8ly, I think all the metal in the "artificial" trees would become very sharp and dangeous when it starts to rust. I could forsee many tetnus shots from even a scrape against them. Real cadar and pine are pretty soft once waterlogged, and not much can beat "natural" cover.

Bobad, you are the first one I've seen give your great idea! The simplest of ideas are USUALLY overlooked. After your suggestion, I intend to use your idea and modify it with a couple crosses and use a small tin can to set mortar in as ballast. Sorry, I'm too broke to pay you royalties!

I knew I could count on you guys to come up with some creative Ideas.

Hey Rainman, fish really love my artificial stickups. I have indisputable proof. Just take a look at this.

I did something similar to bobad, except I used 1/2" pvc and partially filled the one end with mortar by using the pvc like a straw and "sucking" in a couple inches of the mortar(you could probably use a vacuum if you do not want to use your mouth). This went extemely quick. I then partially filled the other end with expanding foam, because I wanted to make sure it stayed upright. I don't think this last step was necessary, though.

Bobad,
Have you had any problem with the pvc fallig over in time due to algea growth? I've noticed a few of mine have, and I think it is due to the aglea, but I'm not sure.

Chris,

As far as I can tell, none of my pipes have fell over so far

My feed ring has a nice green beard, and still sits high in the water.

Bobad,

Have you had a problem with drift due to wave action? Do the stick up beyond the surface.

-HH

I have most of the stickups in 6-7' of water, and they are only about 2.5' long. It's possible that counter current on the bottom could move them, but I seriously doubt it. I think if they are sufficiently under the surface, wave action won't move them. Having just gone through 2 hurricanes, all bets are off. There isn't much that 80mph winds won't move. When my water clears up a bit, I'll be able to spot them.

That is a great idea. A picture would help me.

I saw some cool looking structure made of corrugated (sp?) pipe on here. Those would suit your needs without being dangerous.

Brett,
i say use Christmas trees or shrubs of some sort. they are natural and show that they were never intended to hurt anyone. placing man made object in there could somehow be mistaken for an attempt to injure someone not knowing about fishing structure.

you are in an odd situation.

i'm confused? how is "your" pond shared by 11 other households??
is it in a neighborhood or something? if so why would you even take a chance of adding anything like that to a community pond?
the first time someone is injured your life will become a wreck.

as a side note:
must be some odd argeement that allows you to make imporvements or add anything to a community property so maybe you can find some legal loophole that will protect you from prosecution since the pond really belongs to an association and not you. that said i don't see how it could even be legal for you to add anything without the associations approval.

What about using some kind of foam or something for the pillars. I'm not sure how you would sink them, but i know some people have used the pool noodles to create floating islands. There is no way they could hurt anyone. Maybe thin rubber tubing. I don't know, just a couple of ideas.