SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Before embarking on building your new pond give some thought to the safety of your project during construction and after the pond is completed. Some important reminders follow:

Construction and Site Safety

Review your local building codes. They should be strictly followed. Also give thought to your pond as a potential hazard to children, pets and neighbors. Be alert to underground pipes and cables when excavating.

Check your homeowner's insurance policy.

Electrical Safety

The pump will require electricity. Be sure all electrical codes are followed when providing electrical power.

Also if you plan to use power tools while constructing your pond, be sure circuits are not over loaded and that power tools and electrical outlets are properly grounded.

Personal Safety

During construction use good common sense when operating power tools, read all container labels and tool use instructions, use protective devices such as gloves, masks, and eye protection when appropriate, use good lighting, and don't drink alcohol. BE ALERT!

PLANNING YOUR POND

Consider several possible sites for your future pond. Should it be close to the house or hidden away? What effect will sun and wind have? Which landscape features will have an impact on the pond?

Weather Factors

If you plan to grow flowering plants your new pond needs to be located where it will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunshine. Some plants require less sunshine but the more direct sunlight your pond receives the more choices you will have. If you are planning to add fish, some shade during the hottest parts of the day will be necessary. Even though shade is desirable you should avoid locating your pond under or adjacent to a large tree. Falling leaves, needles and twigs can upset the chemical balance of the pond and accumulate on the bottom possibly clogging the pump and filtration system.

Wind can also blow leaves, dirt and debris into your pond and increase water evaporation. If you regularly experience strong winds, consider locating the pond adjacent to the house or a fence that can act as a wind block. As an alternative you can plant trees and shrubs to protect your pond on the upwind side. Actually planted windbreaks are usually more effective than fences or buildings.

Existing Landscape Features

A flat well drained area is the ideal location for your pond and the pond should project at least 1 ½’’ above the surrounding soil so that lawn chemicals and other pollutants will not drain into your pond. Avoid locating your pond in low-lying areas unless you are prepared to raise the perimeter of your pond well above the surrounding soil. Good drainage is necessary to avoid ground water pressure that may cause the liner to bulge up. lf your pond is located next to a hill or on a hillside lot you must eke steps to prevent water runoff from polluting the pond. Raising the edge of the pond or a trench on the uphill side of the pond may be required.

Utilities

Electricity

A three-pronged electrical outlet will be required for the pump. Electricity will also be required for underwater lights if you decide to add them. In either case it will be most convenient if both the pump and underwater lights can be controlled from inside the house.

To provide electricity it will be necessary to run an underground electrical line from the house to the proximity of the pond. You'll probably want to put this line on a separate circuit and will need to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) for safety. Check local electrical codes and be sure to hire an electrician to complete the electrical hook-ups.

Water

You'll need to provide water to your pond. A nearby faucet and garden hose may work well for you. A more sophisticated arrangement connects a water supply to a 1/4'' plastic tubing linked to a float valve. This will maintain a constant water level in a way similar to a ball cock found in toilets and it may be located inside the skimmer box. These materials will be available at a local water gardening store.

Finalize Your Plan

Decide on the final shape of your pond-dimensions, depth, and location of landscape features.

Pond Size

The following formula may be used to estimate the size of the liner required:

Length of Liners = length of pond +2x avg. depth + 2

Width of liners width of pond +2x avg. depth +2

For example, if a pond is 4' wide and 9' long and is 24" deep the liner size required would be 10'x15'.

Remember, average depth means you can have depths in excess of the average as long as you have corresponding shallow areas. The calculated liner size will provide approximately 12" of overlap around the perimeter of the pond. After the liner is installed and edging is complete and you may wish to trim off any excess material.

Pond Capacity

To approximate pond capacity (in gallons), measure in feet the average length, average width and average depth. Multiply these three numbers to calculate cubic feet. Then multiply cubic feet by 7.5 (gallons per cubic foot) For example a pond 4'x 9' and 2' deep would hold approximately 540 gallon.