How to build a pond | The Wildlife Trusts (2024)

FAQs

How to build a pond for wildlife? ›

Place stones, logs and plants around the edges to create habitats for pond-visiting creatures. Consider adding a plank of wood or a similar ramp to help any wildlife that might fall in. By including a gently sloping beach area when digging your pond, you can ensure wildlife have an easy way out.

Tarpaulin. An incredibly affordable alternative to traditional pond liners is the humble tarpaulin. Many people already have one tucked away in their garage for camping or other outdoor activities, so it may seem like an obvious choice.

For larger, natural ponds consider liners of puddled clay or sodium bentonite. Size and depth – the larger the pond, the more wildlife it will attract.

For a wildlife pond, the shape is not very important, so you can make a pond that has a 'natural wiggly shape', or is a 'formal' square or a circle - it depends on what you think looks good in your garden.

A pond can be oxygenated without a pump by incorporating a variety of submerged plants, floating plants, and marginal plants that add oxygen to the water. Additionally, ensuring more surface area for gas exchange and having a small waterfall or stream can aid oxygenation.

Skid-steers and backhoes are the two most common pieces of equipment, but cranes and loaders can be used as well. A skid-steer can be effective in excavating the top shelves of the pond, but the bottom and final shaping should still be done with hand tools.

The mechanical parts like pumps and filters will be your most expensive outlays. You can bring down expenses on your koi pond by planning out a smaller one, digging out the trench on your own, getting a prefabricated koi pond liner, and buying smaller, less expensive domestic koi fish that cost under $3 per fish.

As you learn how to dig a pond, you'll find that a steeper slope will minimize vegetation and algae growth. Depth: The depth of the pond affects the water quality, temperature, oxygen, and fish population. As you continue to learn how to dig a pond, you'll find that the recommended depth for most ponds is 10-12 feet.

While tarps might initially seem like a good, low-cost option for pond lining, often their lack of durability, poor UV resistance, and tendency to tear make them unsuitable for the job.

Other forms of black plastic, such as the reinforced polyethylene and polypropylene liners we sell here at BTL Liners, are definitely a good choice for lining a pond. You'll notice our products have a noticeable grid pattern because of the reinforced design and a matte finish rather than a shiny surface.

What is the best natural liner for a pond? ›

RPE is the most balanced lining material, you can use it in almost any weather condition, and resist chemicals. Bentonite clay is the best lining material for large ponds where the quality of the water and life is important.

Generally, a mix of shallow areas (around 15-30 cm deep) and at least one deeper section (around 60 cm or more) is recommended. A maximum depth of about 1 metre is often sufficient for most garden wildlife ponds, ensuring ease of maintenance and safety, while still offering a diverse habitat.

Pea Gravel 10mm

Perfect in any garden, but is also used in drainage schemes by house builders.

How to Install Pond Liners - Liner Underlayment. If you're using an EPDM rubber liner, you'll definitely want to use a geotextile underlayment before installing a pond liner. While EMDM liners are nice and flexible, they don't have the puncture resistance to be installed directly on the soil substrate.

If you're planning on stocking your pond with fish, aim for a depth of at least three feet. Shallower ponds are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations. In the summer, the water will heat up more quickly, and in the winter, it'll cool down more quickly.

In urban and suburban areas consider these options for adding a water source for wildlife. For a small spaces, consider adding bird baths and container water gardens. For larger properties, consider adding a rain garden, pond, or backyard marsh.