A typical cooling pond for a power plant can cover anywhere from several dozen to several hundred acres, depending on the size of the plant and local climate conditions. For example, a large coal or nuclear plant might require a pond spanning several hundred acres to handle the amount of heat it produces. The depth usually ranges from 3 to 10 feet, though some are deeper depending on design needs.
The surface area is especially important because it’s where most of the cooling happens, through evaporation and contact with air. In drier or cooler regions, a smaller pond might be sufficient, while hotter, more humid areas may require larger ponds to achieve the same cooling effect. The overall size is carefully calculated to ensure that the hot water has enough time and space to cool down before being reused or released.
