Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New Member from IN; Overhauling ponds/overflows

Have seen a few large post count members on here from IN, so that's reassuring to know I'll have people to reference our weather patterns to

I am the new owner of 22 acres with a house, barn etc, but more importantly two ponds the larger of which is fed by 5 of my neighbors yards.

I look forward to the insight I can gain here, and am attempting to overhaul the current overflow system very soon.

As stated I have two ponds, both excavated. The larger of the two is fed primarily by my neighbors yards via a small stream connected to the backs of all their yards.

That pond has a pretty "budget" overflow system which just trickles the water into a very shallow connection to a smaller pond. That connection is also fed by (I am almost certain based on the angle and depth but not 100%) a PVC section connected to a field tile.

That smaller pond is then drained simply by being so full that it VERY GRADUALLY flows towards a major county creek. (I am fairly certain one of the owners had a pump system in place to drain excess water out of this pond incase of an overflow, the pump was no longer operational and the hose deteriorated upon my inspection)

Having family who owns quite a bit of property and are full of DIYers this has me very flustered to the point of wanted to just drain both the things and restart.

Where would be the best place to post photos/videos of my situation in order to get the best advice? I KNOW I need to change my overflow system, and have yet to get offical elevation change numbers from pond to creek, but am very much aware of the fact the property has flooded enough to enter a small barn on the property and kill livestock (chickens) which according to one of the owners of the property (ironically the ones who made the primary pond 3X LARGER) is why they moved.

I love doing all the work or as much as possible myself but I think I may need professional consultation in certain areas to ensure that another 100 year event doesn't wipe out all my other hard work.

Welcome to the best forum you'll ever find! We even occasionally stay on topic and discuss ponds here. Pictures, pictures and more pictures along with details on the acres of drainage, whether hardwoods or pasture, or manicured lawns along with any other info you can think of always helps get the most informed suggestions from everyone. Glad to have you join up!

By the way, there is a major gathering coming up in mid-February, the sixth pond management conference where you can learn more about virtually every aspect of waters and land management than you ever imagined. You should really consider attending!

That meeting sounds like something I need, and I just may be able to make it this year. (I run a seasonal business)

The large pond


The large pond feed creek


Large pond inlet


The pond overflow pipe entrance (for the whole large pond)



The suspected PVC field tile connection at bottom left


The view "upstream" of the outlet, facing the large pond


In the same position as above, just facing "downstream" towards the smaller pond




Standing water between the small and large ponds


Small pond



Small pond "overflow" stream



Small pond overflow stream exit to large county creek

Welcome!

Where in the state are you? We have a few members scattered all over the state.

I'm located in Brownsburg

Welcome from another fellow Hoosier.

How big are the ponds? The big one looks like it's less than an acre. How many acres' watershed drain into it? You can get both those off topo maps. Some IN counties have GIS online that can give you acres enclosed.
You're right, the drain on the big pond looks very small. And it looks way too easy to plug up with a couple sticks and some leaves. We had some big rains last year that likely would have overwhelmed it. Is there an emergency overflow beside that small rip-rap-lined V-cut where the drain is?

I may be your closest PB'er then. I bounce between Avon and Bedford homes. My pond is in the wilds of Lawrence Co of course, not in the city.

We are practically neighbors. I am about 20 miles west of you, just north of Jamestown. I also have two fish ponds, plus two shallow duck ponds and three wetlands, all of which we had built. We are planning our third fish pond, and still working on stocking our second fish pond. Once you get the drain situation figured out, you will enjoy having these ponds. Welcome! My initial thought would be to prioritize an emergency spillway to take flood water where you want it.