Need to enlarge, add 2nd or do something

I think it is an illusion. The plants make it look as if it were lower.

FM - that would be a good thing if it was an optical illusion. The last thing one needs with a pond is for all the run off water from rain, roofs, etc to end up in the pond.

True. Of course retention ponds if planed right are a nice addition to a garden. Just need a flawless overflow.

Next spring I'm hoping to get started on a retention pond in my backyard to reduce flooding at the low end of the yard. The pond will have an assortment of plants with filtration qualities and a aerating fountain. But will be designed to look nice and may also be a source of non-tap water for irrigation purposes. Drainage needs to be planned though. Excess water can be a problem with heavier rain totals. Fortuntaly I've got a handy dandy rain gauge to help me determine that too.

It has rained very heavily yesterday and all day today. I kept a close eye on the pond, it was overflowing and water standing around it but still 3" below edge of pond. Anything above that and it would run into the lawn so all is good. Probably did a 30% water change.

Tom,
Hows the progress going with your new pond or renovation of old pond????

You are keeping us all in suspence. Got any pics????

Bonnie

Bonnie has a point Tom. What did you decide you were going to do and have you started yet?

You have an Old pond and plan to build a New one... Use the old pond as a "filter" to grow your aquatic plants, and keep the new one for your pet fish, then you could circulate round and round.

Here is central Florida, they are pumping phosphate laden water from Lake Apopka into a marsh "flow way" to filter out extra nutrients. Idea is to clean water before they send it up the St. John's river on the way to Jacksonville.

Picture one show the "before" where the muck farms were draining their nutrients into the Lake 1950-1995
(that's alot of years) Pics from web:
Second picture shows the plan to filter the water after they closed down the farms.
Third picture shows the green water going into filter and the blue water coming out.
Last picture shows how bad the algae bloom is in the summer. Water quality has improved about 10% so far.

http://www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/lakeapopka/

What a wonderful idea. Both what is going on in your area and making a marginal bog out of the old pond. I know I have said it before, but I would give my eyeteeth for a bog. Carolyn's does a phenomonal job keeping her pond clear and clean.

Tom's so busy with his pond he probably doesn't get on forum much.

His plant was very ambitious and takes time and energy.

Bonnie

I wouldn't be without a bog - I have been on another pond forum and there are a number of people there that feel the same way about having a bog.