man made ponds and streams

[WannaBeFarmR]

Not sure where to post this to.

So I'd like to add a pond and creek/stream to my property for a water source for the animals "down on the farm" and maybe add some fish at one point too, I'm talking a pretty good sized pond, not a lake but not a koi pond by any means. What I'm trying to figure out is if theres a way to add a creek or flowing water element off a pond without motors and filters or electricity of any kind. I don't have any experience in water features so I have no idea if thats possible on a smaller scale without the aid of electricity. I do know what it takes to make a pond that holds water and stays clean though so I'm hopefully not a total fool here. I'm thinking something gravity based maybe with multiple ponds or something and a few adaptions could be possible but I really have no idea here. Anyone with a better handle on this sort of thing know if my idea holds any water?

 

[goodolboy]

Without running water into the pond it wouldn't be possible without a pump. With running water the options are only limited by $$$$$

 

[Symphony]

I would talk with your local Ag extension agent or the area Fish and Wildlife specialist. I bet they could give you some helpful tips and help you with making it safe for all.

 

[Roll farms]

We dug our pond after studying the land for a couple springs, watching where the water stood during spring flooding and where it ran off to, etc.

It overflows to a wet-weather (dry 90% of the time) creek and our pasture now drains into it. It's about a 1/2 acre pond. We needed the dirt to backfill our modular and it was cheaper to dig a pond than it was to buy the dirt. The added benefit (once we stocked it, after letting it develop for a year) is we get to fish it, too.

If you do have a low / wet area, check w/ the local plan commission before digging a pond, make sure you're not buggering up any local 'wetland habitat' laws.

 

[Kitsara]

It is possible to use a ram pump to provide water without electricity, so it would be conceivable to circulate your water down a stream into a smaller pond and then push it back up to big pond.

 

[babsbag]

We dug our pond after studying the land for a couple springs, watching where the water stood during spring flooding and where it ran off to, etc.

It overflows to a wet-weather (dry 90% of the time) creek and our pasture now drains into it. It's about a 1/2 acre pond. We needed the dirt to backfill our modular and it was cheaper to dig a pond than it was to buy the dirt. The added benefit (once we stocked it, after letting it develop for a year) is we get to fish it, too.

If you do have a low / wet area, check w/ the local plan commission before digging a pond, make sure you're not buggering up any local 'wetland habitat' laws.

Did you have to do anything to the pond to make it hold water?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Our prior landlord had a giant pond on their property. They had a very small seasonal stream and they had an area that they could dig out to create an area where this stream could fill it up. They ended up concreting a dam on the far end so it wouldn't wash away and still let the excess continue on down the stream. Simple as that.

 

[danielburns271]

I wanna know how to make ponds for my Koi. I feel comfort is someone can provide me some information or a link...Thanks in advance!