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Pond Size and Depth

Click here for a printable version of this publication: Managing Mississippi Farm Ponds and Small Lakes

Pond size should be determined by the needs and desires of the owner. Bigger is not always better. Small ponds can provide enjoyable fishing if good planning and proper management guidelines are followed. Larger ponds and lakes provide many other uses, such as a water supply, limited irrigation, swimming, boating, and hunting, and they are less susceptible to water level fluctuations and overfishing.

Ponds in Mississippi should usually be at least 6 feet deep over 20 percent of the area to maintain maximum production of sport fishes. To prevent aquatic weed infestations and other management problems, avoid shallow water areas less than 3 feet. Depths greater than 12 feet seldom provide any productive fisheries benefits because of low summertime dissolved oxygen levels.

Dams

Dams should be at least 8 to 12 feet wide at the top, depending on the height of the dam. Dams less than 12 feet high require an 8-foot top width. Dams between 12 and 15 feet high require a 10-foot top width, and those higher than 15 feet require a 12-foot top width. Dams with tops wider than the required minimum are much easier to maintain. In many areas of Mississippi, soil types are such that dams must be cored with clay to prevent seepage. Dams should have slopes no steeper than 3:1 on either side. On the backside, a 4:1 slope will allow the pond owner to maintain the vegetation on the dam. For example, a dam with a 3:1 slope will have a 1-foot rise for every 3 feet of horizontal measurement. Establish suitable vegetation, such as Bermuda grass, fescue grass, Bahia grass, or other perennial cover on the dam as soon as possible to prevent erosion, muddy water, and maintenance problems. Do not allow trees to grow on dam; decaying tree roots will diminish the integrity of a dam.

Drains and Overflows

A combination drain and overflow pipe, as well as an emergency spillway, are necessary for good management. The emergency spillway is designed to carry excessive runoff from heavy rainfall. The overflow pipe is the outlet for normal waterflow through the pond. The bottom drain allows the water level to be lowered, which is often necessary for weed control and fishery management. A drain gives the pond owner a necessary tool to manage his pond efficiently.

Overflow and drain pipes may be corrugated metal, [Photo]: PVC drainaluminum, steel, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some materials are more durable than others, and thus may be preferred. For example, PVC pipe, although inexpensive, is prone to breakage and vandals. Be sure the pipe meets the standards for use in a pond dam. Drains can be added to existing ponds, but you will need professional assistance.

Banks

Banks should be sloped with a water depth of 3 feet near the shoreline to eliminate shallow water areas around the pond edge where aquatic weeds often start. Cattle may cause bank erosion and muddy water; fencing the pond may be necessary to limit or prevent damage.

More Construction Info

• Fish attractors
• Pond basins