Question for the Pond Pros

[GolfAddict]

I think allot of the water is going up into all those trees. Not usually good to have trees on a dam either, the roots penetrate the soil and give water a place to "leach".

I can't help but wonder the same thing - the neighbor's pond has nearly no trees around, but yours looks like it's right in the woods. Could your pond be "watering" all those trees surrounding it?

 

[econometrics]

I can't help but wonder the same thing - the neighbor's pond has nearly no trees around, but yours looks like it's right in the woods. Could your pond be "watering" all those trees?

I think that's the best bet so far, yes. The trees are so purdy...! I guess I'm going to have to pay to keep it that way. :laughing:

Hopefully, over the next couple of years, I can get into those woods around the pond and really limb those trees up and take out a few of them to thin the area around the pond.

 

[GolfAddict]

I think that's the best bet so far, yes. The trees are so purdy...! I guess I'm going to have to pay to keep it that way. :laughing:

Hopefully, over the next couple of years, I can get into those woods around the pond and really limb those trees up and take out a few of them to thin the area around the pond.

I agree. I'd sure rather have your than his! :thumbsup:

 

[Western]

I agree. I'd sure rather have your than his! :thumbsup:

X's 2
I would clear the dam off without question though, you may end up having to put bentonite on the dam face when all the roots start to on a degrade.

What would look really nice, is a windmill with separate well to circulate your pond and add water, but that would be some $$. If I was going to blow a bunch of cash, I'd dredge (sp) it out. Clean all the washed in fill out and deepen it.

 

[MBTRAC]

IMO - it'll be the trees that are the most likely culprit, in the walls they can cause cracking (particularly if the water level drops below their root level, they die or the roots contract during a drought) & in hot climates it's surprising how much water than can leech from the surrounding ground throught transpiration.

 

[vtsnowedin]

An acre of trees puts more water into the air then an acre of open water. The surface of all the leaves are busy doing photosynthesis which uses and releases a lot of water. But before you cut back all the trees consider that the shade they provide help keep the water cool and make it a better habitat for fish etc. Maybe cut off the dam and one side and leave the deepest side shaded for a fish sanctuary.

 

[20 20]

I'll agree the trees that are "close" or on the **** may be causing leaking by way of roots, but I would strongly disagree with a clear cut. Some folks do not realize in a drought trees can actually supply 50+gal each, per night back to the earth. Sure they drink a bunch but they also provide shade and other quilities that actually help keep water. I lived in TX years back in an area that was mostly country with plenty of tree life, healthy rivers, etc... Now the same area is basically a concrete walmart, appartment complex, everystore imaginable, jungle with very low water levels. Is it because of the trees being cut, the population increase, the miles of concrete, who knows? I'd be willing to quess it's all of the above. If that pond as been functioning fine for all these yrs I highly doubt the trees are the problem, UNLESS they have helped spring a leak.

 

[rekees4300]

I'm wondering if there are any other possibilities as to how this thing is losing at least 2 inches per week right now. It's very shaded around the pond, and has great run off into the pond, too. Here are some pics:


Any ideas / thoughts are most definitely welcome!

Thanks!

Do you know if your pond has ever held water, check with your neighbors? It's possible that it is now and always has leaked into the underground. Had a neighbor once who built a nice looking pond but it never would hold water more than a month, that happens sometimes.

 

[econometrics]

What would look really nice, is a windmill with separate well to circulate your pond and add water, but that would be some $$. If I was going to blow a bunch of cash, I'd dredge (sp) it out. Clean all the washed in fill out and deepen it.

100% agree to that, Dennis! I would love to do that someday since I already have the well drilled. :thumbsup:

An acre of trees puts more water into the air then an acre of open water. The surface of all the leaves are busy doing photosynthesis which uses and releases a lot of water. But before you cut back all the trees consider that the shade they provide help keep the water cool and make it a better habitat for fish etc. Maybe cut off the dam and one side and leave the deepest side shaded for a fish sanctuary.

Good consideration here. I really do not want to cut down the trees all that much. I love the environment they create around the pond. It's very serene back there, even on windy days... and the deer LOVE it around the pond. What I DO want to do, however, is clear out the saplings and underbrush underneath the established trees, so the trees that are already there can continue to grow strongly and provide the components to the environment around the pond that you mention here. Great advice! Thank you!

If that pond as been functioning fine for all these yrs I highly doubt the trees are the problem, UNLESS they have helped spring a leak.

I do think the other main issue here is that we're in a drought still. Even the recent rains have not been enough to bring us back much. So more than anything, I'm just being picky, ha! I just wanted to poll those of you here with pond experience to make sure I wasn't overlooking something as a noob.

Do you know if your pond has ever held water, check with your neighbors? It's possible that it is now and always has leaked into the underground. Had a neighbor once who built a nice looking pond but it never would hold water more than a month, that happens sometimes.

I need to ask my older neighbor. I'm sure he would know. Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[20 20]

Econometrics; Ponds can be odd, I have dug around 15 or so and everyone was different. I was asked to dig one less then a mile away from mine, it was a no go, the soil there is all sand. Dug another one 3tenths of a mile away had to go through 4' of beautifull black soil to get to a nice clay base.The black soil is great for plants but worthless for a pond. I have been lucky enough to hit springs in a few, which works great once the pond is done, but can be a PITA while digging. If your still in a drought in that area your pond may be trying to keep the natural water table full, causing the actual pond to lose water depth(?)

Maybe you have an elephant sneaking in at night sucking down your pond :laughing: