Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations filling pond

Just got my pond re-worked. About how long does it take to fill in a pond with just rain water. I bought the house knowing it need fixed. Is there anything I should look for while filling? Also all my down spots connect to the pond.

thanks

It takes the exact amount of runoff to equal your ponds capacity in acre feet. Sorry, I don't mean to be glib, but I don't think anyone can answer this question. Your down spouts will provide nearly 100% runoff into the pond.

What is the surface area and depth of the pond? Do you know what the acreage of the watershed is?

Here is a little info that might help. 1 inch rain on 1000 square feet of roof will yield approx 600 gallons of water.

If you know the square footage of your roof and all the down spouts lead to your pond....you could get an idea of how much rain it would take to fill your pond. That is assuming you know the volume of your pond and have no other source of runoff.

Zoeconner you will likely have a full pond by spring, and that is all you really need to figure on. The snow/rain runnoff from winter/spring will do it for sure, that how we roll up north. It's too late in the year to get any spawning out of them but You could add some fathead minnows anytime so they would be ready to spawn in the spring. Or you could get them in the spring, it all depends on what your goals are for this pond. More info is required on all sides, do tell?

My pond is 105' x 200' x 12'. Heres a picture. A couple more days he will be finnished.


Here is what it did look like.Man, I hope it works.

Looks good Z!

Will any runoff come from the cornfield?

No just the side by the house.

Did you add any structure for fish, or is it going to be mostly for swimming?

Not yet but I will. What should I put in?

See the Archive thread on Structure for ideas and info.

We got about a 1/4" of rain ant it went up about 1/2" Yippy!!!! Man this is going to take forever. And I have to watch this for about 6 months to a year.. Its going to be hard.

The ground is still pretty dry here in NW PA Zoe, your area has to be nearly the same, it will be full by spring once we get a good winter. The old timers around here always say we can't have winter until the swamps are full. Meaning the ground will be swollen with run off and then the cold will set in, my pond is only half full now too, dug this summer, it will fill, soon, soon.

Me too. Pond Dug in June - 1/2 full right now.
It is extremely dry in southwestern PA right now.
We've had about 2 inches or rain since July.

Your pond is a boy??? Are you sure?

Wivell I finished digging the last week of July and it rained allt he while we were working, then it has been dry since. Do you have any fish in yours yet??

Do you guys have any pics of your new pond?

I have a few but I don't have a hosting account, it is on my list of things to do. The wife has more pictures than I do I was either in the dump truck, running excavator, or pushing with the dozer most of the time, although I am accused of running around and yelling, I don't remember doing any yelling, you have to explain loudly around equipment, it's part of being the dirt boss, heh heh.

I just pulled my maggot feeder out yesterday, the water is cooling off quickly here and rain is forecast so I am hoping to get another couple inches in yet this month.

Joe - I dumped 10 lb of FHM in July. They have spawned a few times. No other fish yet. Looking to put in some SMB and YP this month. I was hoping it would rain and I'd have more water in the pond. I'm at about 5.5 - 6 ft on the deep end with about 1/4 acre surface area. I will probably go ahead and stock and see what happens - my 12 yr. old son is dying to get something in there. Had to buy him a 10 gallon tank and a few fish last week to hold him over......

Im going nuts. We havent seen a good rain for about two months. Pond still looks the same. Tomorrow Im going outside and doing a rain dance. Anyone know how:)

Fat McB...you're on

I need rain too. My pond is just at half pool. Finished digging in early June and it has been at this level since mid July - around the time the rain stopped.

Zoeconner, my pond is the lowest it's ever been right now. We've been had very little rain the last half of summer and so far this fall. I have about 8 acres of watershed and my pond loses 2' or more in drought conditions. If you are simply counting on what little bit of rain falls in the pond and immediately around your house, I suspect you're going to have ongoing problems. I suggest you get your county's soil and water department out there to give you an assessment. It's usually free and they can provide you with some useful info about watershed and soil types at the least.