In the process of designing a pond and have a question about water control structures. I would really like to have a "clean pond edge" with no piping or drains. So with that, the system im interested in uses a bottom drain pipe extending through the dam, then a riser on the back side of the damn that extends up to the desired water level. see my quick picture.I've seen this type of setup in some ponds before but I am unable to find any information about it online.
That is a common design. Make sure you have a large concrete pad or rip rap around the riser so that the falling water wont erode the foundation the pipe sits on. You can also put a valve on the back so that you can drain the pond if needed.
Another option is a riser like the one in the link below. You can put it on the backside of the dam and only have a foot or so sticking out of the ground.
