How to improve this pond??

[saluma]

Another question about the property I hope to buy: It has 2 ponds. One is wonderful, fairly big, stocked, and healthy looking. The second one not so much. I'm attaching a photo. I'm not sure what's actually wrong with it, but would like to make it into something nicer; either another stocked pond, or at least a good livestock tank.
I assume my first step would be to test the water and go from there? Does it look like it is lacking aeration? Should I dig it deeper? Is it too small for fish? I have a hard time figuring out what is actually "wrong" with it and exactly "why" the other pond on the property is so much nicer, so any input will be appreciated!
Oh, and I'm not able to take a closer look at the pond to answer any questions for now, since the property is not mine yet and I rarely get out there.

[WJMartin]

It could be just built in a bad location. Don't know where you are but here we contact the Soil & Water Conservation and they will come out and give an opinion.

[jwal10]

Looking at the high waterline, it is not very deep when full, or it has not been full lately. How high is the outlet? Does the bank not hold water? Can't tell much from the picture....James

[saluma]

Originally Posted by WJMartin

It could be just built in a bad location. Don't know where you are but here we contact the Soil & Water Conservation and they will come out and give an opinion.

I have to look into that. That would be awesome.

Originally Posted by jwal10

Looking at the high waterline, it is not very deep when full, or it has not been full lately. How high is the outlet? Does the bank not hold water? Can't tell much from the picture....James

Yes, it doesn't look like it has been very deep lately, but it looks like it has actually been quite deep at some point. I assumed it was due to the drought. I'll take a closer look at it next time I get there, and will see who else I can get to come out to give an opinion.

[dkhern]

look on the down side of the dam and see if dam is leaking

[fishhead]

Check to see if there are any trees within 30-40' of the dike. Their roots could have created a channel into the dike causing it to leak. That's a common cause of dike failure.

It could just be in a bad location without enough watershed to feed water to it as others have said.

If this pond is lower in elevation than the other pond AND you have excess water in the upper pond you could always siphon water into the lower pond.

[unregistered41671]

It may not have a sufficient water supply to keep it full.