Pond Building

pond sunset Pond Building what’s the big deal and WhatPond is right for you?

Why pond building has become popular over the years. What attracts us to water? The different tools and equipment used for pond building.

What are we humans mostly made up of?

Yes water, when we go on vacation, whether it is camping, sightseeing, or just heading to the beach. There is water involved. Camp grounds have swimming pools and could have streams, rivers, ponds or lakes.  The hotel’s have swimming pools. The beach is a dead giveaway.

Why are we attracted to water?

Water is the foundation of life without it nothing could exist. We drink it daily, or should be drinking more. But the attraction seems to be more nature orientated. This could be the waves lapping at the shore, the reflection the sun, moon, clouds and trees dancing on the water’s surface. Smaller bodies of water such as a pond can generate sound by a fountain or from a water fall. So there is sight and sound, the other attraction is cooling off on a hot summer day or ice skating in the winter.Party on the pond

A Farm pond can provide water for live stock, fish for you and the family, recreation and your own private oasis to  relax and loose the stress.

The big deal with building a pond is how big to make the pond and what type.

It could be a water garden filled with plants, or a gold fish pond that could be dug by hand. Invite family, neighbors and friends, arm them with shovels and have a great work day or weekend depending on the size of pond. Now if you are looking for a large pond that will need the use of heavy equipment, there still are the requirements of help, picking up rocks for the pond edge, or waterfall. The opportunity to operate a dozer or backhoe to mold and shape the earth is a great experience.

Mom and baby ducks Health, mental and physical during the pond building using garden hand tools you’ll get a very good work out and a good night’s sleep. Okay maybe a little sore in the morning too. Operating a dozer or backhoe will also give a good work out, arms and legs operating control leavers, clutch and brakes. Getting on and off to take breaks and move rocks, and checking the grade. Mentally your are constantly think where the next load of dirt goes, how much more do you need to dig down and visioning how it will look when completed. Not to mention swimming and kayaking when the pond is done.

The big deal happens when the pond building is done. The grass is growing. Aquatic plants and fish have been placed. Fountains and or waterfalls are running, display lighting. It is time to relax. For larger ponds build a floating dock, kick off to the middle of the pond, during the day catch some rays and at night gaze at the stars. Floating on the dock is very good stress reliever; because you are in your own world no one can touch you there. The smaller back yard ponds bring out the lawn chairs kick back and relax. Plan the pond near a deck or build a deck next to the pond. With the water flowing over the waterfall or fountain you will soon be in your own paradise.

swimNow the biggest mistakes in pond building are

Plan your pond design carefully lay out the shape with a garden hose or rocks. Ask your friends and family what they think. Is it located as a focal point that can be viewed from the house? When you come home from work?

The first mistake is it’s never big enough. Once you have finished it is very difficult and expensive to increase the size.

Second is waiting too long and putting it off.

A Farm Pond will attract nature. The pond provides the way to bring many different creatures to the pond. Yes some are unwanted such as bugs but overall the birds, deer and other wildlife are very entertaining.Big Stretch

Showing you some of the features and benefits of building a Farm pond. That will enhance your property and life. Size and shapes are up to your imagination. Finding you what you need to know.

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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

Scott Crawley November 15, 2009 at 2:55 pm

Hello there, I would like to shake your hand this is a very well thought out and planned blog.

People can see and read that planning is very important not only to building a pond but internet marketing to.

Keep the good info coming.

Thank you Scott Crawley
EMarekting Connections

whatpond November 16, 2009 at 3:10 am

Hey Scott, Thank you for your keen eye and compliments.
This has been a long time building and a lot of work and more to come.
Thanks again for the hand shake!

Wade Hilton November 30, 2009 at 10:04 am

Hi Darrell: I just want to tell you that you’re doing a great job. Keep up the good work. A lot of things you stand for (hope, motivation, planning, desire, harmony, love, faith, enthusiasm, etc.) are in my books. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=wade+hilton&x=0&y=0

whatpond December 12, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Hi Wade,
Thanks for the compliment and sharing your thoughts ;-)

STRONG WOMEN December 15, 2009 at 11:53 am

ALWAYS APPRECIATED ON THE EXPERTISE OF POND BUILDING, SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND HAVING SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE DOING SO. LOVE THE VIDEO THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR SKILLS.

whatpond December 22, 2009 at 2:30 am

Strong Women, Thank You for Your support and excitement about ponds.
After building my first pond I found they have so much more to offer than just being a hole in the ground with water.
The pond has become our very own private Oasis and a magical stress reliever. Not too sure how we lived with out it
but know if we ever moved the new property will need to have the requirements for a pond.

Gerardine January 14, 2010 at 11:48 am

I have a neighbor who dug (he broke though the Aquifer) his pond next to the drainage tiles, and now the water level is even higher on my property, why did this happen? Just wondering..

Darrell Rhoades January 17, 2010 at 3:05 pm

Hey Gerardine,
That is unfortunate unless the water level helps you. There are under ground streams that flow freely some may work as a spring or small seep that can help to fill a pond but when they dry up it will work backwards draining the pond. Still digging into one these streams and blocking the natural flow the flow can be pushed back to it’s origin and will try to find a new direction to flow. There are also times where ponds have been built to close to houses and end up flooding the pond owners basement. So the easiest way to think about this is to plug up the downspout of your rain gutter… Where does the water go?

Evelyn Vincent January 31, 2010 at 7:14 pm

Wow, what a terrific article on ponds! Having been a landscape designer for years I really appreciate the practical and thorough information you’re sharing here with others. Good job, I’m very impressed!

Darrell Rhoades February 2, 2010 at 7:26 pm

Hey Evelyn, thank you for the comment.
I appreciate it and coming from a landscape designer and goes to show how much of an impact ponds can have on folks.
Always excited to see spring come and get back to the pond way of life.

LaurieB March 19, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Thank You! You have opened my eyes to so many aspects of building, owning, and maintaining a beautiful covenant, not onlys for my family, but for wildlife as well.

Darrell Rhoades March 20, 2010 at 5:33 am

Hey LaurieB,
You a very welcome. After building WhatPond it has just been amazing as a private Oasis not only for family, friends and recreation.
And like you said, the wildlife that the pond attracts can be entertaining and a new source for their needs as well. Deer, frog’s, bird’s and many other smaller creatures enjoy and use the pond, even seen a couple Walking Sticks, pretty neat… Add game fish, maybe some Koi and have fun for all ages.

jeff March 21, 2010 at 8:09 pm

You’re enthusisam is infectious. Thanks for such a wonderful and informative site !

Jim Austin April 3, 2010 at 4:59 am

I am in the process of building our retirement log cabin up in the woods of western N.C. My cabin will be located on the side of a valley facing a small creek at the bottom. There I plan on building a small 1/3 acre pond with a small island in the middle. Can’t wait! This site is great and will help.

Darrell Rhoades April 4, 2010 at 4:57 am

Hey Jim,

Wow that does sound like a picture perfect paradise. All my best with your retirement and the building process.
Feel free to sign up for the “Definitive Guide” for more pond ideas and resources. And shoot me an email if you have any questions.
Make it a GREAT day!
Darrell

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