Thinking of making a small pond

[gila_dog]

I've been thinking of building a small pond, something like 15' x 15' x 3' or 4' deep. I would fill it by harvesting rain water off my roof, and from a well. I've done some research on this and have come up with numbers that show that I could provide about 1/3 of the water needed to keep it full and compensate for evaporation with the rainwater. The well would have to make up about 30 gal per day, which doesn't sound like a big deal. I would probably line it with a plastic pond liner, put flag stones around it, maybe set up a small solar powered pump to make a little waterfall to oxygenate the water.

Anyway, it all seems reasonable. So I'm wondering if a little pond this size would support a population of bluegills and a few bass. It would be fun to catch them, and keep an occasional few to eat. Info and knowledge appreciated.

[big rockpile]

The Fish would probably have to be fed, then you have uneaten food and fish poop in your pond.

I harvested off my Roof into 200 Gallon Tank but I had Outhouse for Toilet facilities and Five Gallon Elevated Bucket for Shower, which I insisted above everything else everyone stayed clean.

Just looked New Mexico harvesting water in any way is going to be difficult.

big rockpile

[K.B.]

certainly feasible - lots of different way to do it.

This project down in AZ looks like a fun way to integrate several systems:
http://gardenpool.org/

[rambler]

Build another building, get more roof area.

Paul

[Tango]

If the pond will be in the sun and you will have fish, a deeper water depth is necessary to prevent sharp fluctuations in temperature and the oxygen eating algae which result. Ponds for fish need depth, more than diameter so it may be better to accept a smaller diameter for a greater depth to stay in the same gallon ballpark.... just thinking. Not sure. Maybe a small roof top over the pond itself to provide partial shade and rainwater catchment right there would be a different option? When I looked into pond liners I found a company selling used billboard signs which are made of thick vinyl for sale, very cheap. Don't have the information anymore though. Maybe if you are interested you can google "used billboard signs pond liners" or something similar.

[ceresone]

I have a friend living in New Mexico--she was reminded water falling from the sky dosent belong to her

[K.B.]

Originally Posted by ceresone

I have a friend living in New Mexico--she was reminded water falling from the sky dosent belong to her

The earthship systems around Taos have been harvesting rainwater for many years, I believe:

http://earthship.com/Systems/water

[suitcase_sally]

If a child or an animal fell into the pond would they be able get out? Around here, the banks have to be at a slope gentle enough to allow someone (or animal) to get out. With a 4' deep pond only 15' wide, the angle is going to be rather steep.

[ronbre]

deeper the better, depth is more important than surface area as the more surface area and less depth the more evaporation.

ours was shallow at first and it would go completely dry..but as we deepened it now it holds water all year with no adding other than rain / snow

see blog below and scroll to pond info

[ronbre]

oh and yes you do have to have a shallow side to make it possible for an animal to swim out

[Just Little Me]

A simple goldfish pond has to be 4 foot deep. You may need to do as suggested and dig deeper. Like a aquarium, the more fish you want, the bigger the pond is going to be. Billboard liners are running around 100.00 right now. I know they work good and hold up better than used swimming pool liners.

[Maura]

Algae produce ten times more oxygen than they consume. Expect an algae bloom every spring. The algae is consuming the fertilizer produced by your fish. Once the other plants get big enough to shade the water, the algae will practically disappear. You can probably grow a lotus.

[Tango]

Originally Posted by Maura

Algae produce ten times more oxygen than they consume. Expect an algae bloom every spring. The algae is consuming the fertilizer produced by your fish. Once the other plants get big enough to shade the water, the algae will practically disappear. You can probably grow a lotus.

Thanks for that info Maura. I must have gotten it confused with something else. Or maybe I was thinking of something else and used the wrong word.... dunno, anyway thanks for the correction