large pond on acres (how much, foundation, tank, drains)
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I've been looking at properties with acres, and they all seem to have ponds, man made dug out large ponds, close to the house. I don't see any benefit to this, I can only think about flooding, maintaining, snakes, problems. Is there anyway it could be filled in? Or would that be impossible? Or could you let it dry up? Or would it never dry on its own? Anyone have experience with a large pond on their property before? Thanks.
I guess you could have the dam breached and let it dry out. Depending on what part of the country you are in the mud that drains downhill of the breached dam will take a couple to a few years to dry out completely.
Most people view ponds assets to their land be it for the views, for livestock watering, for fishing, for wildlife habitat, or in terms of real $$ value when selling. Building dams correctly for ponds larger than an acre gets costly if one has to hire it done.
Ponds properly built usually have spillways or a drain hole with a collar. Unless the house or outbuildings are built downhill from the pond why is flooding a concern or even a likelihood?
Most people view ponds assets to their land be it for the views, for livestock watering, for fishing, for wildlife habitat
These are definitely on top of the list-
the other, irrigation.
My Grandparents property had a tank (pond) as they're called in E. TX. it was for all the above but, mostly for irrigating the garden.
Some things to consider:
1) Size. Is it going to dry out pretty soon in your area or is rain going to make that process drag out till next year?
2) If it's near the house can it be pumped out without creating a flood inside the house?
3) Is it lined? You will need to remove the liner before filling in.
4) Are there local sources for fill material/soil that will be compatible with the soil currently on the property?
5) If you fill it, you will have to gauge for compaction, get some help figuring that one out.
I say keep shopping till you find a place without one!
One advantage is fire protection. By the time a fire truck can get to the house, the place will be an ash pit. You could set up a pump, lay hose and possibly save or limit damage to the house from a fire. Likewise, if wildfires are a concern, a pond creates a place that can be defended. Firefighters will likely ignore the house with no water source in favor of the one with a pond. It may also reduce your insurance cost.
One advantage is fire protection. By the time a fire truck can get to the house, the place will be an ash pit. You could set up a pump, lay hose and possibly save or limit damage to the house from a fire. Likewise, if wildfires are a concern, a pond creates a place that can be defended. Firefighters will likely ignore the house with no water source in favor of the one with a pond. It may also reduce your insurance cost.
A very good point. I had forgotten that my pond IS the water source if the volunteer fire department has to respond.
These are some really good points so far that I have not thought of. However, I am unfamiliar with the fire protection that people are talking about. What do you mean about the pond being a source, does that mean if there is a fire somewhere else, they come to your yard and suck out the water? Or is this for if your house has a fire? I guess I don't know what you mean there. It seems like there a lot of things to consider with this. Is it a lot to maintain? And what about the bad wildlife like snakes, gaters depending on where you live, whatever else might be lurking. I wouldn't want my horse to go down and get a drink and then get bit or whatever. Any more thoughts on this? I'm trying to figure out if this is something that I want or not. Thanks.
These are some really good points so far that I have not thought of. However, I am unfamiliar with the fire protection that people are talking about. What do you mean about the pond being a source, does that mean if there is a fire somewhere else, they come to your yard and suck out the water? Or is this for if your house has a fire? I guess I don't know what you mean there. It seems like there a lot of things to consider with this. Is it a lot to maintain? And what about the bad wildlife like snakes, gaters depending on where you live, whatever else might be lurking. I wouldn't want my horse to go down and get a drink and then get bit or whatever. Any more thoughts on this? I'm trying to figure out if this is something that I want or not. Thanks.
If you are in a rural location chances are that there are no fire hydrants; or, if there are, they will be few and far between. Yes, anything a pumper truck needs beyond what it carries to your house to put out a fire will come from your pond, if you have one close enough.
If you are concerned about your horse drinking from a pond you can pipe/pump water from the pond to a livestock waterer; or, hook up to city water for your livestock watering needs (expensive). You do realize that there will be snakes in the pasture anyway from time to time don't you?
Not all snakes are bad. Some water snakes, depending the area of the country, may be poisonous.
These are some really good points so far that I have not thought of. However, I am unfamiliar with the fire protection that people are talking about. What do you mean about the pond being a source, does that mean if there is a fire somewhere else, they come to your yard and suck out the water? Or is this for if your house has a fire? I guess I don't know what you mean there. It seems like there a lot of things to consider with this. Is it a lot to maintain? And what about the bad wildlife like snakes, gaters depending on where you live, whatever else might be lurking. I wouldn't want my horse to go down and get a drink and then get bit or whatever. Any more thoughts on this? I'm trying to figure out if this is something that I want or not. Thanks.
I'd guess that most rural fire trucks hold something like 500 gallons of water. If your house is on fire, they'll have to disconnect and fill up at the nearest source of water. If that source is a couple of miles away, they'll likely be able to save what's left of your foundation when they get back. With a nearby pond, they can drop a volume pump there and run a line to the truck, keeping it full as they fight the fire. If your neighbor has a fire and your pond is the nearest, they likely want to refill there too. Also, a pond would help them protect your house if there was a wildfire on your acreage.
I think horses are smarter than you think and they would avoid any snakes or stomp on them. In the situation you describe, gators wouldn't be a problem unless you're buying swamp land. For the way you're talking, I think you need to live in a city where you don't have to worry about these things. BTW, most snakes live on dry land.
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My pond is 50 feet from my house. I get a break on my fire insurance. You can install a dry hydrant so water is available in the frozen months too. Dry Hydrants (http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/dry-hydrants.shtml - broken link)
My gutters, and French drains run into the pond. In places like Ohio, we have a lot of flat land. The water has to go somewhere. Just about everybody has a pond.
Besides fishing, touching frogs, and paddling around in the canoe, my biggest advantage is how much we cut down on mosquitoes. It was originally a swamp with nothing but tall grass. The land was worthless, and we would get eaten alive while outside. Now we have a dock, and a nice picnic shelter. I'm working on a covered bridge too. I couldn't live without my pond.
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