Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site outlet pipe ?

I hope I am not asking questions about topics which have already been answered here. I am new to the site and have a lot of irons in the fire right now and finding time to go back through the archived posts is limited.

Can someone give me a quick opinion, overview, or other suggestions of what is the best outlet pipe design. I have almost already made up my mind to use a siphon system. Is there any reasons why I should, should not, or any better suggestions on what would be better.

Thanks a bunch guys!

early riser

Syphon spillway systems have become commonplace in the newer ponds in our N.E.Texas area.

We went with a common spillway design instead of installing plumbing. We have a friend that has an 8 inch pipe and the latest rains we have had were overpowering the 8 incher! We had a little more room than he did for the cut, but we don't have to be concerned about anyone hitting the pipe or freezing problems.

I dunno, but the KISS principle seems to always work best.

Early riser,

My experience base says go with a natural spillway if at all possible. Anything in your dam that isn't dirt can/will eventually cause problems.

I agree with Meadowlark. I have an above ground spillway lined with stone in my pond that has a dyke and it's foolproof unlike a pipe that regardless of you do -- as in collars -- may cause you problems.

I've always been a believer of "keep it simple stupid" and "if anything can go wrong it will."

I raise my waterlevel going into winter by dumping in a wheelbarrow of clay and then dig it back up in spring to resume the flow. Doesn't take much.

I've only been on Pondboss a little over a year and my lake is less than one year old. I'm relatively green yet, but went with a spillway for my lake. I'm glad I did.

I have about 10 acres of watershed for each acre of lake. We've had some unusually big rains and I had water 8 feet wide and 1 feet deep going over my spillway at one point this spring. It would have take a pretty big pipe to handle that. With the spillway, it wasn't a problem. It will never rust, plug, or freeze either.

Early riser,

Looks like you and me are in the same boat. How big will your pond be? I started doing due diligence on the siphon system about a week ago. I have yet to come across anything specifically negative on a pvc siphon system. I like it because it is a lot less expensive then steel, it's not going through the base of your dam, it draws the dead water from the bottom of your pond and you can drain it for maintenance when needed. The pond I want to build will end up being around 3/4 to 1 acre. Right now I'm about 65% pvc siphon system - 35% natural spillway. Here is some info. from a recent reply I posted:
Thanks for your reply Squeeky. I called and got a quote on the pond dam piping siphon system. The 8" system runs $296.80 for the fitting package(four elbows with collars and a valve) and 209.30 for the screen. I supply the 80 to 100 feet of PVC pipe. This seems pricey...... The draw that I'm planning on placing the pond isn't a huge watershead, yet it is ample. The pond will be in the Lufkin area. May I ask what your cost was for your setup? How big will your pond be a full capacity? What kind of emergency overflow setup do you have? Did you help the contractor set the pipe up and into the dam? The 12" setup I think runs around $1200 bucks, not including the straight pipe. Will your pond be used for recreation(fishing) or mainly for livestock?

The contractor installed the pipe system. The
price was around $1000 and included 240' IPS
200 psi pipe and fittings. The overflows are
a foot above the permanent water level and a
couple of feet below the dam crest. They are bermed out from the dam ends about 150' to direct water away from the back of the dam. The earthen
spillway system alone would probably be adequate
if the pond was not on a creek with 165 acres of
watershed (according to the NRCS estimate). The
pond will extend about 1600' from the dam to the upper end, but will be contained mostly within
the creek area due to a county road constraint.
I'm guessing less than 5 acres of total surface.