Building Lake Corona

[ovrszd]

Looking very nice!!! Thanks for the update pics!!!!

I worked on raising a short section of gravel road all morning. About noon it started drizzling and has been since. I got done at 2p.m. Could only relay the topsoil because the grader is all wheel drive.

The weather people change the forcast so much I don't have a clue what it's going to do. I've got three more road projects to get done. Hoping to get them all done by end of next week.

Your Lake is looking very nice. What a project!!!!

 

[jk96]

Your Lake is looking very nice. What a project!!!!

Thank you. A couple more pics. Bottom of the pond had some water in it which isn't good. If water can get in it can also get out. Moved some additional clay to cover the exposed rock ledge in the bottom and seal it up. Pond basin is in great shape now.

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Here's one of a couple of stumps I left and undercut for fish habitat.

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I also found that 20ft of 10" schedule 40 is heavy. Was hoping to install the pipe on the backside of the dam today but found its not going to be a one man project.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Really looks big now with all the trees gone. Nice job.

 

[deezler]

Wow, looking good. Quite an impressive project to be undertaken by a homeowner as a hobby, or just for fun.

So, the pipe you bought is for a bigger version of your siphon? Or permanent overflow control? Do you have a dedicated, armored spillway area yet?

You must have a ridiculous pile of logs stashed away somewhere after clearing all those huge trees, yeah? Firewood? Sawmill?

Thanks for keeping us all updated with these great pics.

 

[jk96]

Wow, looking good. Quite an impressive project to be undertaken by a homeowner as a hobby, or just for fun.

So, the pipe you bought is for a bigger version of your siphon? Or permanent overflow control? Do you have a dedicated, armored spillway area yet?

You must have a ridiculous pile of logs stashed away somewhere after clearing all those huge trees, yeah? Firewood? Sawmill?

Thanks for keeping us all updated with these great pics.

Yes on the pipe. 10" siphon drain and should take care of 99% of the rain events we get. I have a lot of rock that was dug out and will line an emergency overflow on one edge of the dam with it to help with erosion for a rare overflow event. I have logs piled everywhere and even larger brush piles. A few nice oak and walnut that I may save for the mill but most likely all but the walnut will get turned to firewood for myself and a friend of mine. 6 different log piles at the moment.

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I thought this one was going to be a nice oak until I cut it at above the rootball. I'm surprised it stayed in one piece when it hit the ground. Diameter about 36"

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[jk96]

I did figure out a way to redneck engineer a solution to getting the pipe installed without a helper. Finally found use for my tractor on this project other than pulling out the stuck loader. Used it an an anchor for a strap and also to drag the pipe to the site. Pipe on the backside of the dam is installed now. Just need an elbow at the bottom and short piece of 10" to finish it off.

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[jk96]

A couple more pics looking down on the pond. Pretty pleased with how it's turning out. Initially I would have been happy with a watering hold for deer. Still not sure of the size yet. More than 1 acre and less than 2. I still think it's probably around 1.5.

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[ovrszd]

I'm a bit confused concerning the pipe. Isn't the lake full level going to be the bottom of the highest piece of pipe?

 

[jk96]

I'm a bit confused concerning the pipe. Isn't the lake full level going to be the bottom of the highest piece of pipe?

Correct

 

[jk96]

I'm a bit confused concerning the pipe. Isn't the lake full level going to be the bottom of the highest piece of pipe?

Correct or slightly lower depending on how low the air lock elbo coming off the T is placed

 

[dragoneggs]

Those last pics give a whole lot more perspective of the size and shape of your future lake! It's going to be fun to see it a year from now!!!

 

[Xfaxman]

For those not familiar with the siphon overflow system:

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks X. I've never saw anything like that around here. Seems very complex. What is the purpose versus a straight pipe laid at an angle buried thru the dam?

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks X. I've never saw anything like that around here. Seems very complex. What is the purpose versus a straight pipe laid at an angle buried thru the dam?

No expert here but I'm thinking a couple of reasons. Not having to bury the pipe so deep. Siphon vs. Gravity allows your intake to be near the bottom vs at the surface.

 

[workinonit]

I think I am correct in saying that once the vent pipe is covered with water and the water level gets to a point that it flows, it will continue to flow until the water level gets low enough to open the vent. So basically if you blocked the vent after the flow starts you could essentially drain the pond to the intake level. So you can move the vent vertically and make the pond any level you want it to be.

 

[ovrszd]

No expert here but I'm thinking a couple of reasons. Not having to bury the pipe so deep. Siphon vs. Gravity allows your intake to be near the bottom vs at the surface.

The deep water intake I get. I just don't understand the necessity.

For the OP I also get that he doesn't need a BH to set the pipe. With some pre-planning it wouldn't have required deep digging.

I'm all for it. Just never saw it before.

 

[ovrszd]

I think I am correct in saying that once the vent pipe is covered with water and the water level gets to a point that it flows, it will continue to flow until the water level gets low enough to open the vent. So basically if you blocked the vent after the flow starts you could essentially drain the pond to the intake level. So you can move the vent vertically and make the pond any level you want it to be.

To a point. And that same adjustment can be made by changing the top end of a straight pipe.

 

[jk96]

Thanks X. I've never saw anything like that around here. Seems very complex. What is the purpose versus a straight pipe laid at an angle buried thru the dam?

Decided to go this route for a few reasons. First it allows me to easily drain the pond or lower the water level for a period of time if needed. Second would be better water quality. Instead of draining out the fresh water coming into the pond it pulls deeper low oxygen water out and improves overall oxygen for fish. It's actually a pretty simple system and only requires a little extra pipe on the water side and also made for easy installation after the majority of the dam was complete.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Decided to go this route for a few reasons. First it allows me to easily drain the pond or lower the water level for a period of time if needed. Second would be better water quality. Instead of draining out the fresh water coming into the pond it pulls deeper low oxygen water out and improves overall oxygen for fish. It's actually a pretty simple system and only requires a little extra pipe on the water side and also made for easy installation after the majority of the dam was complete.

Another plus for your overflow design choice.

Any time you have a structure through a dam below water level you compromise the integrity of the dam. This design totally eliminates those kind of problems. Now there is no place for water to seep and potentially wash out the pipe.

 

[ovrszd]

Decided to go this route for a few reasons. First it allows me to easily drain the pond or lower the water level for a period of time if needed. Second would be better water quality. Instead of draining out the fresh water coming into the pond it pulls deeper low oxygen water out and improves overall oxygen for fish. It's actually a pretty simple system and only requires a little extra pipe on the water side and also made for easy installation after the majority of the dam was complete.

So to drain the pond you close the vent and wait for a rise in pond level to create a siphoning effect?

Is your inlet suspended up off the bottom?

I need to study your pocs again.

Very interesting design.