Building A Pond In The Right Place
Finding the right place to build your pond may seem trivial, but you should realize that the location of a pond should suit its purpose. How so? Well, formal ponds are often designed to impress your friends. That means that you should build it in your front yard where it can be seen by all. On the other hand, informal ponds are usually designed as private retreats. They are best built as backyard ponds, perhaps as part of your garden or tucked away in a secluded corner where you can keep it for your personal enjoyment.
Sun, Wind and Location
Sunlight is needed by both plants and fish to grow and multiply. However, it’s true that one can have too much of a good thing. Too much exposure could cause algae blooms and over-heated water, which is unhealthy for aquatic life. Try to find a place where your pond can have a moderate amount of sun. Trees, walls and other garden structures can also be used to adjust the amount of shade your pond receives.
Wind and debris are other pond building concerns. Try to build your pond some distance from your garden since leaves, fruit, flowers and seed could pollute your pond, possibly even clogging the filter. Sits that are subject to strong winds are also to be avoided since winds can increase water evaporation and disrupt the spray of fountains and other water features. Again, trees and walls can be used to block the wind and lessen its ill effects.
Working with the Ground
The rise and run of the ground is a major pond building factor. Your site might be flat, hilly, sharply sloped, or a combination of the three. That, plus the hardness of the ground, will greatly affect the amount of work you’ll be doing.
Some sites will require a lot of digging. Others will require you to create slopes, a process called grading. Others still will require more specific actions such as raising the height of your coping or building gravel trenches to catch runoff water.
Practicality is important, but don’t forget to choose a location whose rise and run complement the style of your pond.
Pond Site’s Nearby Utilities
Electrical sources located near a pond site are very convenient. It allows you an easy way to hook up your various pond equipments as well as providing a circuit for any pond lighting you’re going to install. Of course there are some utilities you’ll want to avoid such as gas lines and plumbing. Just make sure that if you add or remove any utilities that you follow local building codes.
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