by Abbotts' Construction Services Inc. | Jun 21, 2021 | Blog
Every homeowner who lives on a large plot of land should consider adding a manmade pond to their backyard. These backyard water features are attractive and offer many benefits above and beyond their charming appearances.
Read on to learn more about residential manmade ponds, including their numerous benefits, pond types, and where to place a pond in your yard.
Pond Benefits
You’ll get plenty of benefits from your new pond.
Natural Relaxation
Medical research has proven that being near a body of water can have a calming effect on both the mind and body. If you do not live near the ocean or another natural body of water, then you and your family can take advantage of the relaxing effect of water by installing a manmade backyard pond.
Since the sound of running water can also be a source of calming white noise, install a water feature, such as a fountain or waterfall, in your pond to turn it into a relaxing oasis.
Fish and Water-Loving Wildlife
Many homeowners add fish to their ponds so they can enjoy feeding them and watching them swim. However, even if you do not add fish to your pond, you can look forward to the pond attracting local water-loving wildlife looking for a place to swim or take a drink of water.
You may frequently spot native species of frogs, lizards, and turtles swimming in your pond and notice many additional local wildlife species, such as birds, stopping by your pond to take baths or sips of water.
Rainwater
When you have a rainwater-harvesting body of water in your backyard, you can use some of this water to irrigate your lawn or perform other water-based tasks you would usually perform with fresh water from the tap. Pond water runoff also naturally irrigates the lawn and plants that surround the pond.
Many homeowners direct their home gutter spouts into their backyard ponds where it can then be stored until it is needed for lawn irrigation. When you harvest rainwater, you can help the environment while potentially saving a few dollars on your home water bills.
Pond Types
There are many types of backyard ponds, although ground ponds and garden ponds are the most common residential manmade ponds.
Ground Pond
A ground pond is a basic, in-ground pond that is created by excavating a hole and then adding a pond liner to it. This pond type is highly customizable. If you do not want to add plants to your ground pond that will help clean the water naturally, then you must usually add a water agitator, filter, and pump to a ground pond to keep the water clean and algae-free.
You can choose a pond liner made from synthetic rubber or plastic. Synthetic rubber liners are typically thicker, more UV-resistant, and more durable than plastic liners. However, plastic liners are lighter in weight and less expensive than their rubber counterparts and can also maintain their integrity for many years.
While you have many pond depths to choose from, ensure your pond is at least 24-inches in depth if you plan to add fish to it. Water that is shallower than this can overheat in the summer and, if you live in a cold climate, potentially freeze in the winter, making it an unsuitable outdoor fish habitat.
In addition, before installing any pond, check with local building codes to determine if you need to surround your pond with a fence. Some city ordinances require that homeowners surround all ponds over a certain depth with a locked fence to protect local children from the dangers of water.
Garden Pond or Water Garden
A garden pond is a water feature filled with many aquatic plants that not only add beauty to the pond and attract many types of wildlife but also clean the water naturally. Plants often added to garden ponds include water lilies, lily pads, water hyacinths, and water poppies. Many people also choose to add fish to their garden ponds.
While you can skip the water pump and filter when you fill your garden pond with plants that clean the water naturally, a water aerator, such as a fountain or bubbler, may still be needed to prevent algae growth.
A water garden is similar to a garden pond, but typically much larger in size and filled with many elaborate water features, such as waterfalls, water ledges, fountains, and decorative statues.
Pond Placement
When deciding where to place your backyard water pond, first check local building codes to determine if there are local ordinances that dictate pond placement. Rule out any locations where underground utility lines lie.
Then, find an area of your yard that receives strong, direct sunlight for only several hours in the morning. While several hours of direct sun in the morning will help plants thrive, too much sun all day long can overheat pond water and cause algae to flourish. However, avoid placing your pond in an area that is shaded by trees because the pond can be difficult to keep clean of leaves and other debris.
If you own a large plot of land, you should consider adding a manmade pond. Contact the construction experts at Abbotts’ Construction Services, Inc., for professional backyard pond excavation today.