Pond construction

Pond construction is the process of putting in place all the necessary requirements to have a functional pond. Dikes are the most important structures of a fish pond as they keep the necessary volume of water impounded and form the actual pond. Their design and construction are particularly important.

A good pond dike should be able to resist the water pressure resulting from the pond water depth.

It should be impervious i.e. the water seepage through the dike should be kept at a minimum. The soil where the pond is constructed should be impervious to hold water for a long time and reduce the amount of water seepage.

The dike should be high enough to prevent runover water from running on its top which could rapidly destroy the dike.

Clear the land of grasses, stones, trees, and shrubs as these can disrupt your construction. 

Measure and mark the pond area using pegs and in this measure the pond area, pond slope, and pond depth. 

Remove the topsoil as this will be used on the top of the dikes o plant grasses because it contains nutrients. 

Dig the pond and make the base of the pond have a gentle and regular slope which makes it easy to completely drain the pond when you want to harvest.

Build the dike at the same time while you digging the pond but piling the extracted soil on the sides.

Construct a water inlet and put a screen on the inlet to prevent the entry of predators and the outlet should also be screened to prevent the escape of fish.

Plant creeping grass on the pond dike to reduce erosion and washing away of the dike wall.

This is constructed almost the same way as an earthen pond. Clear the area of grass and stones, mark the pond area with pegs and ropes, and dig the pond area especially if you are constructing a dug-out concrete pond.

Build a concrete foundation and floor, and after build the wall with concrete.

Install water inlet and outlet devices and plaster the pond. Introduce water which is also used to cure the pond in preparation for stocking.