There are many factors to consider when choosing a location for your backyard pond. Essentially, they boil down to three primary considerations: appearance, maintenance, and sunlight. Needs for all three should be considered, and unless there is a location that meets all needs 100%, you’ll need to balance the advantages and disadvantages of your possible locations. As far as practical considerations for the lay of the land, you can incorporate almost any element into your design - steep slopes can offer a great setting for a waterfall, while flat areas permit larger ponds with random shapes. Other variations can make your site visually interesting -- use your imagination!
For practical considerations, appearance is hugely important to the enjoyment of your backyard pond. Locating it behind the house in a corner visible only from the bathroom window isn’t going to reward you for your hard work and investment. Try to find a place that creates visual appeal from most vantage points of your home. Locating it near your deck or patio creates a pleasant place to enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of pond and plants. If you can keep an eye on it from a window inside your house as well, you’re more likely to notice predators or other problems that need immediate addressing. Maintenance is also key - the pond that needs near constant tending allows less time for enjoyment. Try to avoid placing your pond underneath trees that shed leaves, needles, or twigs and branches. Those can quickly overwhelm your pond, steal oxygen from your fish, and create much bigger problems. You’ll also want to consider the availability of electricity to operate your pump and filter system, as well as fresh water for water changes or to top off your pond in hot, dry weather. Finally, your pond needs sunlight to sustain your pond plants and keep your pond in a healthy balance. Too much direct sun, though, can encourage algae growth. Providing approximately 40% dappled shade without having a tree close by can present a challenge, but a few online searches will produce some creative solutions.
