You might not think of ponds or lakes as something that can be “built,” but with modern engineering and environmental knowledge, adding a body of water to a property opens up its possibilities. Mindful landscaping can turn a flat, uninspiring area into a lush oasis for lounging, boating, or sport. A well-planned pond or lake can also achieve deeper environmental goals by creating better irrigation or providing a safe home for wildlife.

This is not a project to be taken lightly, so the experts at Estate Management Services have put together this handy guide for property owners looking into this upgrade. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself as you dive into this process:

1. What is this pond or lake for?

A pond or lake can have many perks, from strictly aesthetic value to vital agricultural functions. Your ideal pond or lake might have several different uses. It’s important to clearly outline your goals before preliminary planning, because they will guide key decisions like size and shape, vegetation, fish stocking, and construction choices for piers, docks, and other structures.

2. Where will this pond or lake go?

Choosing the site of your pond or lake unfortunately isn’t as simple as pointing to an empty spot on a map. First, you’ll need to consider the topography of your property and how drainage will work best. Then, you’ll have to have thorough soil tests conducted to find out information about the land. The soil’s clay content needs to be high enough to retain water and prevent seepage.

3. What will the water source be for this pond or lake?

While planning your pond or lake, you need to figure out how it will fit into the water cycle that already exists on your property. To keep it at the right water level year round, its water source should be consistent, whether it's from nearby streams, rain runoff, groundwater, or natural springs. This will prevent larger issues during excessively dry or wet periods in the area.

4. How deep and wide will this pond or lake be?

Depth is especially important to the pond or lake’s ecosystem. Having varied depths creates diverse habitats for lots of different species of wildlife. Varying the depths of the water also helps to regulate its temperature and prevents invasive plants from taking over shallower areas. As you plan out the shape and varied depths of your pond or lake, water circulation is a major factor to keep in mind. Even small stagnant areas negatively affect the entire body of water.

5. Will you need to use a liner or sealing?

If your soil is too porous and does not have enough clay content to adequately hold the water mass of your pond or lake, there are interventions that can help. Bentonite clay can bolster the pond or lake. A synthetic liner can also be a good choice, or concrete seals.

6. How will you prevent erosion?

A properly designed shoreline not only looks good, but is designed to prevent erosion. Erosion and sedimentation make water cloudy and less hospitable for wildlife. Building a pond or lake with a gentle, sloping shoreline helps prevent these issues. Planting hearty vegetation and using control measures like riprap or coir logs is also smart.

7. How will you promote healthy water circulation?

Water circulation touches every part of a pond or lake’s ecosystem. It reduces algae growth and keeps the water full of oxygen for a healthy fish population. Water circulation systems keep the water flowing around your pond or lake. Fountains look gorgeous on the surface, and bottom aerators can reach lower depths.

8. Will your pond or lake be up to code?

Wherever you build your pond or lake, you’ll have to follow local laws and federal environmental regulations. Water is a precious resource, so the authorities take compliance seriously and failing to get the proper permits or follow environmental rules could delay your project, making it more expensive. In a worst case scenario, you might have to deconstruct a lake or pond that wasn’t built properly.

9. Does the pond or lake have adequate drainage?

The long term stability of your pond or lake depends on good drainage. A drainage system with pipes, culverts, or spillways prevents flooding and erosion.

10. How will vegetation complement the pond or lake?

Choosing the right native and aquatic plants for the shoreline makes your pond or lake a more optimum habitat for wildlife and improves water quality. Trees and shrubs let a manmade pond or lake blend into its surroundings, making the area shadier and more pleasant at the same time.

11. Which fish are you stocking your pond or lake with?

A diverse and balanced fish population makes not only for better fishing, but also better insect control. Which species and in what proportions you choose depends on the quality of the pond or lake’s ecosystem and also its physical dimensions. Fish stocking choices can have unintended consequences, so it’s vital to do your research and understand all of the factors that go into ecosystem stability. Adding submerged logs and rock piles helps maintain your fish population by giving them shelter and a place for breeding.

12. How do you plan to maintain your pond or lake?

The job isn’t over when construction is finished. Once your pond or lake is built, you’ll need a plan and schedule for water testing, removing debris, monitoring for invasive species and algae blooms, and checking equipment like fountains and aerators. All of these tasks need to be done regularly to prevent more costly problems in the future.

13. What’s your budget?

When you’re determining your budget, you’ll want to leave wiggle room. If your soil needs to be stabilized or water management is more complicated than anticipated, costs can rise quickly. A flexible, well thought-out budget makes delays less likely.

Let Estate Management Services Guide You

Constructing a new pond or lake is a long process that requires proper planning and expertise in several areas. That’s why for over 30 years, the experts at Estate Management Services have helped landowners across the country develop water features that are attractive, fun, and practical. Our comprehensive approach respects the environment and also respects your time and budget.

Every project is unique. We specialize in stabilizing ecosystems and maintaining ponds and lakes, whether we’re starting from scratch on a new build, coming in for a renovation or repair, or simply providing ongoing pond and lake management.

Services Provided by Estate Management Services

Repairs and Restoration

Ponds and lakes that haven’t been properly maintained can do a complete 180 with the right treatments and care. We can restore life and vitality to even the most grown-over, stagnant bodies of water.

Dredging

By cleaning up the bottom of your lake or pond and removing the sediment that has clogged it over time, we uplift the entire ecosystem and restore depth.

Fish Habitat Construction

To foster a healthy, diverse ecosystem, we consider the needs of many species of fish and how we can make the best habitats for them in a pond or lake.

Lake Design Consulting

Careful planning is essential when you’re setting out to build a new lake. From site surveys to assessing the feasibility of your intended spot, we’re here to make sure your project is set up for success. 

If you’re thinking about constructing a new pond or lake, get in touch to learn more about our free, no obligation inspection. We offer clients realistic, detailed estimates to help them plan for the long term future of their property.