The state of Oregon is known for its beautiful natural landscape, abounding in countless waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and forests. Not only does Oregon provide such remarkable scenery, but its Jory soil is something farmers and agriculturists take great pride in. This dark, reddish-brown soil is abundant in clay matter and consists of silty loam nutrients and well-drained soils that can be only found in Western Oregon. Because of this rich clay, pond construction can be more attainable and good quality soils are much more accessible.
Location is very important when it comes to building a pond. For extensive pond space in a property with minimal excavation, the project will be expensive, yet advantageous. Although low-grounded areas seem more practical to design a pond, high-elevated areas are the way to go when choosing a location. Low-lying, wet areas such as swamps and marshes may be difficult to convert into ponds (attributable to wildlife) and may require permits that are hard or even illegal to obtain. It is best to choose an area for a pond that does not receive water polluted by runoff from nearby agricultural activities. If runoff does occur, it must be diverted away from the pond so that there will be enough water available for the pond's intended purposes.
In dry climates, water can be collected from a spring or seep, and in areas with heavy rainfall, your pond may use surface runoff from nearby creeks or rivers. Although water source supply is not limited, it is best to find water that is most suitable for your pond, determined by where you live. Depending on the type of water source, Western Oregon requires an average of 1 to 2 acres per acre-foot of water. Eastern regions, however, require 30 to 60 acres per acre foot. These estimates are based on surface water sources. If the pond is dependent on groundwater, the area needed will be substantially larger. It is crucial to know that a topographic map can demonstrate whether water drains towards your property line or away from it.
Water Quality
Good-quality water is something every landowner should be interested in, because it is the center of all that is necessary when constructing a pond. Clean water systems protect ponds and groundwater from contamination, ensuring a safe water supply that will help with the pond management process.
Well water can be used to maintain water cleanliness, but it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks when using well water in your pond. If you plan to add fish to your pond—and fully understand the risks—it is essential to monitor their environment in order to prevent temperature changes or fluctuations that may harm them. If fish don’t strike your interest, you can relax—that’s one less thing to worry about. However, there are some crucial factors to consider: You should periodically test your well for contaminants, check that they are flowing properly, and place them in an area where they can be healthily maintained.
Spring water ponds are fed by either the water in the pond itself or the water at an underground spring near the pond. This type of water is ideal for maintaining pond cleanliness, and clearness. If the spring water is to be used for drinking or other potable purposes, treatment systems should be installed to purify it. Before starting a new pond, a bit of maintenance is required. It’s important that all mechanical parts are monitored to ensure everything is working properly and any leftover debris is removed to keep the filtration system healthy and in good shape.
If you enjoy watching insects and amphibians roam about in your spring—you’re in luck! You will likely find a variety of these little creatures that may only stick around in certain pond environments, such as dragonflies, water beetles, water striders, frogs, and even salamanders. They are pollution-sensitive organisms that rely on good water quality to survive, which means spring water is very clean and one of the most desirable sources for a pond, as it is typically clearer than well water and tap water. The reason for its clarity is that water absorbs into limestone (usually where natural spring water is located), which is softer than most other rocks. The limestone then purifies itself as the water rises through it.
Streamflow ponds can be a good option for those who are on a tight budget. However, these ponds are not very dependable and have inconveniences that come with them. It will be quite difficult to obtain a permit, because enough water needs to be kept in streams to help protect wildlife, maintain water quality and groundwater levels and preserve water supplies. If you have no concern in dealing with these challenges, streams serve as exceptional filters for debris, allowing fish to be healthily sustained. Streams are a good way to introduce water into ponds because of how water flows to the top of the pond’s surface, mixing and shifting warm water with cooler water at the bottom.
Surface runoff or rainwater is a common water source for ponds, because they are natural occurrences and basically provide free water supply. Rainwater has many pros that make a great option when choosing a source of water to use for your pond. Not only is rainwater cost-efficient and environmentally friendly, but it’s also very easy to collect without having to hire a waterscape contractor. Although these statements are true, it is imperative to understand how to properly manage your pond and avoid contaminating the water. It is difficult to predict rainfall, therefore, it is not advisable to depend on a limited source of water, especially in dry climate conditions. Rainwater, tied with springwater, is also one of the best water sources you can use for your pond.
Using groundwater as a source of water for irrigation can be a good plan, as it can be used for assistance or support, by flowing through ponds that contain other water sources such as surface runoff. Excavated seepage ponds are constructed in areas with shallow, penetrable soil layers where groundwater can infiltrate and move into ponds. One of the cleanest sources of water is groundwater (even compared to surface water), because of how its filtration system works. In cool conditions, groundwater may contain large amounts of dissolved gasses, because of the low temperature. If water temperature is higher, supersaturated groundwater contains more than the normal amount of dissolved air. These water levels fluctuate throughout the year, so it is important to maintain your pond and it would be preferable to hire experts to take care of that.
