FAQs about how to build a farm pond
Do I need to hire a construction company to build a farm pond?
Even if you are a do it yourselfer, it is highly recommended to hire a company that has among their knowledge how to build a pond. Building a farm pond isn’t an easy feat. If you don’t want to hire a team to do everything for you, tell them upfront you are looking for consulting services and expertise to help you do it yourself. There are companies and people out there that are willing to share their knowledge to help you build your pond or lake.
What purposes can a farm pond fulfill?
Among the most common purposes are to provide water for livestock, fish production (either for food or for recreational fishing), irrigation for nearby crops (required for the production of food), fire protection,
How do you make sure that ponds hold water?
In general terms, you need to make sure the soil that makes up the bottom surface of the pond doesn’t have holes, gaps or crevices that let the water seep through the cracks. There is more than one way to achieve this purpose and it will depend on the characteristics of the soil in the area where the pond is to be located. Bentonite is the one we prefer because it is 100% natural clay, it blends seamlessly with the pond’s ecology, there are no puncture risks and it can fill all the gaps, holes and crevices that are in the bottom surface of the pond, effectively sealing the soil and reducing or eliminating water seepage.
Read more about the different methods for Sealing Your Pond: A Quick Introduction for Pond Sealing.
Do all ponds need to be lined?
Using a pond liner is the best way to prevent water seepage in the medium term. When the pond is correctly lined, the seal can last for decades, allowing farmers and owners to enjoy full ponds for many years.
How much does it cost to build a 1 acre farm pond?
According to HomeAdvisor [https://www.homeadvisor.com/] the cost of building a 1 acre pond ranges between 3 and 8 thousand dollars, with $5,600 as an average. The bigger the pond, the lower the cost per acre. It will also depend on how deep it is required to be and the area where the pond is located.
How long does it take to build a 1 acre farm pond?
The usual timeframe is between 4 to 6 weeks to build a 1 acre pond. Of course, this timeframe can change depending on the particular design of your farm pond.
Should I add fish to a farm pond?
Absolutely! Adding fish to a farm pond will actually help you maintain the equilibrium of the pond’s ecology. The particular type of recommended fish will depend on where the land is located and the local weather. In general, throughout most of the United States you can breed bass, bluegills and catfish, but you may have some different options depending on where your land is located. Find here a Management of Recreational Fish Ponds in Texas guide by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
