Selection of Site and Source of Water

Selection of Site

A poorly planned pond will result in failure. Careful consideration should be given to the selection of a desirable site before the “ground breaking” or construction begins. A desirable site needs an adequate but not excessive water supply. The subsoil should contain sufficient clay to prevent excessive seepage. The topography (lay of the land) should lend itself to the economical construction of a pond which will contain and maintain a minimum of 1/4 surface acre of water. In addition, access roads and location of the pond in relation to the owner’s residence should be considered. A pond located near the home and with an all-weather access road is more likely to be cared for properly. Before construction begins, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Nashville or Mobile office) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management should be contacted to determine if environmental permits are needed.

Source of Water

A flowing stream is not essential when evaluating water sources. Rain and run-off from the watershed are usually adequate. The amount of watershed needed may vary from a ratio of 3 to 20 acres for each acre of pond (3:1 to 20:1), dependent upon the subsoil, the amount and type of vegetation, and the slope of the land. Cultivated or barren watersheds are undesirable because of rapid run-off and the accompanying silt load. The watershed should provide enough water to fill the pond and to maintain a water level that will not fluctuate more than 6 inches below or above the spillway. An excessive amount of water results in erosion, possible loss of the dam, loss of fish, and loss of nutrients needed for fish production. Ponds built on streams usually have excessive overflows and cannot be fertilized economically, nor can the streams be effectively poisoned to eliminate wild fish, which is essential before stocking hatchery fish.

The information above came from the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division's booklet Sportfish Management in Alabama Ponds, which is available as a PDF.