Fresh flowing water is essential for keeping a farm pond healthy and full. Finding the right water source isn’t always easy, however. In some cases, ponds can be constructed to fill with seasonal runoff—though these are likely to empty as the year goes on. It’s also possible to manually fill a pond using well water, but the electricity needed to run the well pump can be costly.
There are other natural sources to consider, if available. Groundwater can help fill a pond, but in most places, this isn’t usually enough to completely fill a pond, which means it will need to be supplemented with something else. Natural springs, if available, are an ideal source of water. Nicely flowing springs will keep the pond full of a continuous flow of clear water. Streams are another source—but you’ll need to remember that streams, even small ones, are legally protected as Waters of the United States. You’ll need a permit to use a stream as your water source, and these permits are often extremely difficult to secure.
