How pond construction aspects affect pond functionality and maintenance.
What happens when the pond is placed in the lowest part of the yard?
1. Debris in the pond
Water run off in the yard, whether from rain or sprinklers, will run downhill. When the pond construction places it at the lowest point, it will be the catch point for all the debris, and sediments from your yard.
Additionally, trash that is blown in is unsightly and can clog up your skimmer, starving the pump of water.
2. Poor Water Quality
Yard treatments like fertilizer or weed killer can be in the run off too! Even if you do not use these things, your neighbors may and if the pond is a the lowest point, chemicals you aren’t even aware of can end up in the pond!
When unknown substances end up in the pond water, it disturbs the ecosystem. The risk is that there can be crazy algae blooms, dead fish, dead plants and murky water. Harmful pollutants, make it difficult to maintain a clean and healthy pond environment for fish and plants.
3. Increased Maintenance with poor pond construction
A pond constructed in a low-lying area will require more maintenance to keep it clean and clear. You’ll need to remove debris more frequently and might have to deal with sediment buildup at the bottom of the pond.
Need more information about how a pond works? Click HERE!
4. Risk of Flooding
Weather can cause snow melt or rain water that naturally collects to overflow the pond. Especially during heavy rainfall or a large snow melt like we have here in Colorado, can overwhelm your pond, causing it to overflow. This overflow can erode the pond’s banks, and even get behind the liner.
Once water gets behind the liner it can be very difficult to remove. Large bubbles can form under the liner pushing up and even moving rocks and boulders. We have seen very large boulders misplaced from water pushing up under the liner. Rocks and boulders can end up on the bottom of the pond and often be very difficult put back.
5. Structural Instability
Exposure to runoff that gets behind the liner will weaken the structural integrity. The dirt work underneath can be destroyed, messing up the shelving. If the shelving is damaged, the pond’s walls can collapse. Repairing these structural issues can be costly and time-consuming. Pond construction and placement are a huge key factor when it comes to future structural integrity!
Why does the direction of the pond matter?
Want to know if your pond contractor truly knows their craft? Ask them if the direction the pond is facing matters. If they say no, that could be a red flag.
While wind can blow in any direction, most locations have a prevailing wind direction that tends to be consistent. This prevailing wind direction is important when designing a pond because it affects water circulation. Typically, a pond is constructed with a skimmer and pump positioned at one end, while the waterfall and stream enter at the opposite end. This setup helps create efficient water circulation, ensuring that debris is carried towards the skimmer allowing it to capture debris like fallen leaves to keep the pond clean.
However, if the prevailing wind direction opposes the intended flow of water from the stream to the skimmer, it can disrupt this natural circulation. The wind can push debris away from the skimmer, causing it to accumulate in other areas of the pond. This not only makes maintenance more difficult but can also affect water quality and the overall health of the pond.
How close to the house should the pond be?
Many homeowners put a pond off in a corner of the backyard. This may not be the best choice. When considering pond construction and placement, ask yourself these questions:
- What is the best place for an electrician to tie in electricity for the pond?
- Do I want to enjoy the sight of the fish from a deck, patio or balcony?
- How will I be with consistently keeping pond maintenance up like adding water treatments and bacteria? Will it be easier if the pond is closer?
- Will it be difficult for me to walk all the way over to the other side of the yard all the time to keep an eye on the pond? What about the winter time?
- Will the placement of the pond make it harder to get a lawn mower from one side to the other?
- Would I rather enjoy seeing the pond every time I drive up (and have the pond as a neighborhood feature to walk passed) or would I rather have it in the back yard where I can sit and drink tea and watch the fish?
We have found that homeowners who have a pond constructed near there back patio or deck, have a much more interaction with the pond and tend to enjoy it a lot more.
Placing the pond where it can be seen from inside the house, whether from a bedroom window, the living room, kitchen or office can let people enjoy their pond from multiple places.
For many people, one of the benefits of a pond is the sound of the water moving. Imagine sitting and working on the computer with the gentle sound of a waterfall or stream in the background!
Consider trees when thinking about pond placement
Trees offer shade to the pond and can be a lovely backdrop for the water. However, there are trees that can cause unexpected trouble!
Pine trees:
So many ponds have pine trees right next to them. I admit, they look great and even look good in the winter because they are ever green, but, there can be issues:
Pine trees often grow far larger that expected, hanging over the pond and the equipment around it, making it difficult to service the pond.
They drop needles. A lot. These needles affect water quality because they are very acidic. Keeping them out is hard because they can even go right through a net!
Willow trees:
Weeping Willows, and other willow trees have relentless roots that will (notice I did not say “may”) get into the seams of the liner, the faceplate of the skimmer and bio fall to get through to the water. Their tiny roots push right through these spaces even when they are sealed and slowly grow-grow-grow until they have broken through, causing major issues.
Fruit trees:
Trees that have fruit or large seed ponds (like the beautiful Catalpa Tree) will drop fruit and seeds. When they are anywhere near the the pond, removing their droppings can be a full time chore! Decaying fruit can really wreak havoc to the pond ecosystem.
Remember than any deciduous tree will drop leaves. You’ve got to be ready to net the pond in the fall to keep them out.
It may sound like I am saying no trees at all near the pond, I’m not. Just be aware of how it can affect the pond maintenance.
The choices you make in the beginning will either help you enjoy a pond for years to come, or cause you issue after issue! Make sure that the company installing your pond is an expert in pond construction!
The importance of pond placement cannot be overstated. Level in the yard, wind direction, and nearby trees will impact the pond’s maintenance and health.
Proximity to the viewing area will affect your ability and eagerness to maintain the pond water quality, fish feeding and plant care consistently as well.