NRCS hasn’t provided information on the required depth or width for a dry hydrant pond. Does anyone have experience they can share? It was determined that our sandy soil will not hold water and suggested that we use either a liner or Bentonite. Any thoughts on best/least expensive solution?

I’d also like to know if you could share problems associated with a fish-stocked pond, located in a pasture with goats and donkeys. I realize there’s the possibility of feces contamination, but can this work?

-- Marsha / GA (CaprisMaa@aol.com), January 22, 2002

Answers

If you have sandy soil the chances of your having a sustainable pond are about nil. Both bentonite and liners are expensive and have no guarantee of working. Check with your local Soil Conservation Services Office as they likely have someone training in pond building who can provide advice on your particular situation.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 22, 2002.

Never heard the term 'dry hydrant pond'. While I can make up all sorts of things in my head, what does that mean exactly?

I think hoof traffic would be hard on any type of liner- plastic, clay, whatever.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), January 22, 2002.

Marsha,

If you're talking about a dry hydrant such as your local fire department would put into your pond so they can get water then my grandfather has one in his pond. A lot of ponds up there (he's in Georgia too) go dry in the summer most especially with this persistent drought so it would be important to have yours of a size and depth to keep water year round. The drainage area to supply the pond is critical too. Your local cooperative extension service can best serve you in that regard since pond building is something they push where they can.

..........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), January 22, 2002.

I happen to be a firefighter in Oregon and Iam the rural water source and dry hydrant installer for our dept and I have diagrams of how to install one, but that doesn't sound like your problem. I have a pond that was man made prior to our buying the place. I was told where it was placed was a wetland area consisted of clay. it was dug out and betonite was added and it holds water quite well it is also fed by a well in the summer but, we draft out of it to irrigate our landscaping. Ive put a couple of dry hydrants in cow pasture ponds and there were some pretty large bass in one of them. so I would say it could work but if there is no cover for the fish(ie logs, weeds, plants,) they probally wont survive. Do you have a plan on how to keep it full year round, do you need water rights in your state to collect ground water If you are looking for just fire protection maybe a underground cistern would be more practical, most are 5000- 10,000 with a single 4" pipe running to the bottom and 2-21/2 ports with fire dept threads for a single residence. let me know if I can give you anymore info

-- KeithSmith (peepee125@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.