How Big Should I Make My Irrigation Pond?
Now that you have a general idea of where to start building, you will want to decide on the size of your irrigation pond.
First, consider your water needs. If you’re watering vegetables or stock, you may need higher volumes of water. However, you want to be mindful of the space available to you that meets the necessary requirements listed above.
A good place to start is with ten acre-feet of irrigation water. For a pond to provide this volume, you will need two acres of land and an average pond depth of seven feet. A pond of this depth and size will also account for any potential losses due to evaporation.
In addition to your irrigation requirements, you should also consider your overall pond preferences. For instance, small ponds may be cheaper, but they are also more likely to freeze solid in cold winters. An easy way to avoid this, in ponds with smaller surface areas, is by digging your pond deeper. This will balance the two out.
On the other hand, crafting a bigger irrigation pond provides more water for a variety of uses and lessens your farm’s reliance on pumped groundwater. Keep in mind that most ponds will look somewhat smaller than expected, so it’s often safer to build a little larger than what you need. For reference, a finished pond often appears 30% smaller than you’d visualized.
What Shape Should I Use for My Pond?
Hiring a professional is the most accurate way to determine your ideal pond’s area and volume. However, a simple estimation of volume and area can be completed by using geometric equations for popular shapes that resemble that of your pond: circle, ellipse, square, rectangle, triangle, or trapezoid.
After you’ve laid out your irrigation pond’s ideal shape, measure the maximum length and width. In general, the depth of your pond should be twice the perimeter’s measurements. This will give you the size of the liner you need for your pond.
Keep in mind that uneven or sloping terrain often leads to inaccurate measurements. When possible, it’s best to conduct all measurements on relatively flat areas. Remember, the accuracy of the final calculation (surface area and volume) can only be as accurate as the length measurements used for input.
You can use this video from our team or the free calculator on the BTL Liners’ website to help you determine how much liner you will need for your pond project.
Remember, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right liner size as well. BTL Liners fabricates AquaArmor; the leading pond liner in the irrigation industry. BTL’s AquaArmor liner leads the industry due to high puncture resistance, NSF-61 certification, and superior UV resistance, as well as availability in custom shapes and sizes for any project.
