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Creating a Pond

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Creating a Pond New York State Groundwater - In areas where groundwater is near your needs and site conditions. The basic design critical that the spillway be sized to pass flood Department of Environmental the surface, excavating into and below it will create a options are as follows: waters and be stabilized to prevent erosion or Conservation pond. Groundwater fed ponds are generally located in washout of the structure. flat low lying areas and do not require a surrounding Dugout Pond - A basin for holding water is created by embankment. excavating soils in an area which is generally flat or in Structural Integrity - Foundation preparation, CREATING a depression or low point within a broad drainage construction specifications and spillway a Flowing waters by in-stream impoundment - way. This type of pond obtains its source of water design, are the most important components of POND Constructing a water impounding structure or dam from overland runoff, a diversion of flowing water or a pond created by an impounding structure. across a water course will capture water and create a from groundwater. These factors determine the structural water body. Careful consideration should be strength, water retaining capability and safe Many landowners create ponds as aesthetic undertaken before pursuing a pond of this nature. Vegetated Earthen Impoundment Structure-The pond function of the structure. and recreational amenities or as water sources Environmental concerns such as blockage of fish is created by erecting an earthen embankment for agricultural and other business related passage or warming of down stream waters can across a water course or overland drainage way. Other Design Considerations - The steepness pursuits. Planning cause adverse impacts. Also, sediment from These structures are placed on sloping lands to of pond basin side slopes affects light for a pond requires upstream areas will become trapped behind the accommodate incorporation of the embankment with penetration to the pond bottom. If you wish to consideration of structure requiring periodic removal to prevent loss of natural ground on the up-slope side of the pond. minimize areas supporting rooted aquatic various site water depth in the pond basin. Often, the soils for the embankment are obtained vegetation, pond side slopes should be steep conditions to from within the pond site during the shaping and to maximize the area of deep water. Shallow ensure that a Flowing waters through diversion - A water source deepening of the pond basin. Establishment of a tapering side slopes create broader areas for suitable location is can be provided by diverting a portion of a stream’s hardy vegetative cover of grasses and legumes (not establishment of rooted aquatic vegetation. chosen. Federal, flow to an impoundment area or excavated basin. trees or large shrubs) provides an erosion resistant You may wish to provide a structure that allows state and local The diversion may use a weir or similar structure to slope. draining of the pond or provide for a constant agency regulatory direct water through a pipe or ditch to the pond site. release of water from the pond bottom. This requirements must Impounding Structures Made of Other Materials - can be accommodated through installation of also be satisfied Drainage Area Rock, wood, concrete and steel or a combination of a pipe under a dam or embankment with a prior to initiating these materials can also be used to construct dams. valve for controlling water flow. A drop inlet construction. Drainage area is a measure of the amount of land The design and construction of structures of this trickle tube can be installed to release normal Technical and surface contributing water by runoff to a pond site and nature are often complex and more costly than a overflow waters through the pipe, rather than regulatory is presented in square miles or acres. Runoff totally earthen structure, but may be necessary to regularly utilizing an over the top of structure expertise is required for the majority of pond volumes are determined by precipitation, soil type, ensure long term structural integrity. spillway. creation projects. This brochure briefly vegetative cover and topography. For ponds relying outlines the elements of pond siting, design on surface runoff the drainage area must provide an Design Considerations Fish Stocking and Rearing and regulatory compliance and provides points adequate supply of water to maintain pond water of contact for obtaining technical assistance levels. Too large a drainage area should be avoided Some important pond design basics are: Most ponds can serve as a recreational and regulatory information. as excess runoff during storms can damage fisheries resource in addition to serving other embankments and spillways or result in pond Pond Size, Depth and Configuration Determining primary functions. Fish stocking in private Siting Factors washout. adequate pond surface area and depth are often a ponds requires a permit from the NYSDEC. function of volumes of water necessary to meet A permit and advice on fish species and Water Source Soils usage needs such as livestock watering, irrigation, or management choices can be obtained from fire protection. Pond depth may also be predicated the Bureau of Fisheries located in offices of An adequate water source is needed to Ponds fed by surface runoff must have impermeable on recreational uses such as swimming, fish rearing, each of the Department’s nine regions. maintain water levels. A supply is available soils beneath the pond basin to prevent excess or wetland creation. The configuration or shape of from four types of sources. downward seepage, otherwise the pond will not the pond is often a matter of aesthetic consideration. Pesticide Use maintain water. Soils containing a sufficient An irregular shoreline that blends in with the Overland drainage - Surface runoff from percentage of silt or clay content are best suited to surrounding terrain is generally most pleasing to the Pesticides may be applied to ponds to control precipitation or a flowing spring traveling pond establishment. The excavating of test pits at the eye. Physical conditions may also dictate pond weed growth, algae blooms or to remove overland as sheet flow or concentrated in a proposed pond site allows for an evaluation of soil dimensions, such as depth of impermeable soils or undesirable fish. Chemical treatment must be drainage way, can be collected in a pond type and suitability. If suitable soils are not available slope of lands adjoining the pond site. Site conditions preformed by a registered pesticide applicator. basin. Ponds with this type of water source on site, appropriate soils or soil amending products that result in back flooding of neighboring properties A NYSDEC pesticide permit is required for are located on or below sloping lands. Annual may be obtained from off site. must be avoided. pesticide applications in aquatic environs. A precipitation rates and drainage area wetlands permit is also required for the use of characteristics determine the adequacy of the Pond Design Options Spillway Capacity - The spillway, such as a pesticides, if the pond is contained within a water supply for each potential pond site. vegetated earthen channel around the dam, provides regulated wetland. Materials and structure choices vary depending on an outlet for excess water. It is NYSDEC Construction Permits The Joint Application Form is available at REGION 4 Sub-office - Stamford (607) 652-7741 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Offices Pond construction or establishing structures to obtain http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/46707.html. 65561 State Highway 10 a source of water may require a NYSDEC permit. Do The Environmental Resource Mapper is available to Stamford, NY 12167-9503 N.Y. District Office not start any construction before obtaining all determine what natural resources are at your location. (Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie) 26 Federal Plaza necessary permits. attn: Regulatory Branch Permits from Other Agencies REGION 5 - Ray Brook (518) 897-1234 New York, NY The permits types most commonly applicable are: Permits may also be required from other agencies. 1115 Route 86, PO Box 296 10278-0090 Activities resulting in excavation or fills in waterways Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296 (907) 790-8511 (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, A Dam Safety Permit for construction of an or wetlands may require a permit from the U.S. Army (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton) Rockland) impoundment structure unless the structure satisfies Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. (907) 790-8411 (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, one of the following permit exemption criteria: Contact your local building department to determine if REGION 5 Sub-office - Warrensburg (518) 623- Ulster) a. maximum height is 6 feet or less;* local approvals are needed. If you are located within 1281 b. maximum impounding capacity is one the Adirondack Park, also contact the Adirondack 232 Golf Course Rd Buffalo District Office million gallons or less;** Park Agency before initiating construction activities. PO Box 220 1776 Niagara Street c. maximum height is less than 15 feet and Warrensburg, NY 12885-0220 Buffalo, NY the maximum impounding capacity is less Technical Assistance (Fulton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington) 14207-3199 than three million gallons; In order to construct a pond properly, technical (716) 879-4330 d. ordinary maintenance. assistance is necessary for the siting and design. If a REGION 6 - Watertown (315) 785-2245 pond is being created by
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