Do you have land that you want to turn into a recreational pond? If so, we’ve got your guide for designing and managing ponds for recreation!
Ponds are a great way to add more quality of life to your property. They’re great for fishing, swimming, and catching frogs too.
But there are more than just a few design guidelines that need attention before building one. If you plan on using the water or having animals nearby, be sure to follow these tips.
Although many states regulate pond construction, design can be left up to the discretion of the owner.
Keeping Your Recreational Pond Safe and Healthy
- Keep it from being shallow.
Many people have thrown their fishing line into a shallow puddle, only to find out that the water had been contaminated by farmers or pets.
If you live on a pasture where horse manure is an everyday occurrence, make sure your pond has at least 4 feet of depth before building anything on top of it!
- Avoid building the pond across a drainage way.
Ponds are for the sole purpose of catching rainwater and runoff from your property.
Therefore, you will want to make sure that the pond is on higher ground than your house, roads, and other buildings.
- Check your soil before building
If you find that the ground is too soft to support a good-sized basin, do not fill it in.
At worst, you’ll need to hire a professional engineer if you plan on digging footings. At best, it’ll need to be filled with rock or gravel for support.
- Add oxygen to your pond
This keeps fish healthy and happy! You can either do this by air pumps or through large stones placed at the bottom of your pond.
The problem that most ponds have is that oxygen levels stay low throughout the day, so plan accordingly with your pump or stones!
- Maintain a temperature balance by adding plants
This also helps keep the water clean by removing unwanted toxins!
- Have regular maintenance and inspections by professionals
Having a professional look at your pond every once in while is the best way to ensure it is in perfect condition.
Getting a pond specialist is not difficult as they are also available locally. For residents of Beaumont, TX and the surrounding areas, you can always contact Lark Group, Inc. for top-of-the-line services.
