I'm in the planning stages for a new earthen pond on a couple acre property I've recently acquired. The property has a gentle slope, and in one corner has I space I feel may be ideal for a small pond. I'd hoped to make the pond .08 acres (surface area) with a max depth of 10'. Volume at this size is .33 acre-ft.
According to the USDA's 'Ponds, Planning, Design, and Construction' my area would ideally have 12acres of runoff area for each acre-ft of pond. My watershed feeding this pond is only about 2 acres - according to what I've read at least 4 acres would be ideal.
My questions are: 1) In your opinion, would it be better to go with a smaller pond that will hopefully stay more full, or a larger pond that might fill up in the spring but evaporate quite a bit over the summer? 2) Do you know of any other factors that might positively influence this issue I'm seeing regarding less than ideal drainage area feeding the area? I have clay soil which should hold water nicely. 3) Any other thoughts you'd care to share?
I'm attaching a screenshot of my topographic property map with drainage lines specified. My soil profile (unconfirmed at this point.. will test in the spring) is below."
My goal is to have a pond to provide water access and for recreation. This is an off-grid operation.
Thanks and I'm excited to have joined this group! -Chris
[quote] Itasca County, Minnesota 626B—Suomi silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: fcmg Elevation: 980 to 1,310 feet Mean annual precipitation: 20 to 27 inches Mean annual air temperature: 37 to 41 degrees F Frost-free period: 95 to 105 days Farmland classification: All areas are prime farmland Map Unit Composition Suomi and similar soils: 90 percent Minor components: 10 percent Estimates are based on observations, descriptions, and transects of the mapunit. Description of Suomi Setting Landform: Lake plains Landform position (two-dimensional): Summit, backslope Down-slope shape: Linear Across-slope shape: Linear Parent material: Silty and clayey till Typical profile A - 0 to 3 inches: silt loam E,E/B,Bt - 3 to 36 inches: clay C - 36 to 60 inches: clay Properties and qualities Slope: 1 to 8 percent Depth to restrictive feature: More than 80 inches Drainage class: Moderately well drained Capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water (Ksat): Very low to moderately low (0.00 to 0.14 in/hr) Depth to water table: About 30 inches Frequency of flooding: None Frequency of ponding: None Calcium carbonate, maximum content: 35 percent Available water supply, 0 to 60 inches: Moderate (about 9.0 inches) Interpretive groups Land capability classification (irrigated): None specified Land capability classification (nonirrigated): 2e Hydrologic Soil Group: D Ecological site: F057XY020MN - Fine Upland Mesic Hardwood Forest Forage suitability group: Sloping Upland, Acid (G088XN006MN) Other vegetative classification: Sloping Upland, Acid (G088XN006MN) Hydric soil rating: No [/quote