There are lots of considerations to make when choosing a location for your farm pond. Start by identifying the purposes of the pond. Aquaculture or recreational purposes might require a bit of shade to maximize on the fun or provide a place for fish to get out of the sun, for example. Irrigation ponds should be placed close to the crops they will be watering.
Once you’ve identified the uses for your pond, it’s time to look at site considerations. It’s usually best to place ponds at the lowest point of a slope or in the bottom of natural valleys. This lessens the amount of excavation you’ll need to do, but more importantly, it also helps the pond capture runoff, which helps keep it filled. Locating the pond at the lowest point of a slope also helps prevent the erosion that can occur when an overflowing pond placed on a high point needs to drain. You’ll also need to take soil composition into account. Sandy soil or soil with too much silt doesn’t hold water well. It’s best to choose a location that features soil with at least 20% clay so that it holds water naturally. Otherwise, a liner will be required to prevent leaks.
