Farm pond

About the farm pond

1. Fundamentals of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering (AGL308) Mr. Rohitashv Nagar Assistant Professor Department of Agronomy School of Agricultural Sciences Career Point University, Kota (Raj.)

2. Lecture-5 Farm Pond

3. Farm Pond Small tank or reservoir like constructions used for the purpose of stocking fish by storing the surface runoff generated from the catchment area. The ponds are also water harvesting structures; solve several purposes of village needs such as supply of water for irrigation, cattle needs, social activities etc. apart from fish production. Ponds also play a key role in flood and sediment control if constructed in large numbers. They have also significant role in rain fed farming cultivation.

4. Embankment Type Embankment type fish ponds are generally constructed across the stream or water course. Such ponds consist of an earthen dam, whose dimensions are evaluated on the basis of volume of water to be stored etc. These ponds are generally built in an area where land slope ranges from gentle to moderately steep and also where stream valleys are sufficiently depressed to permit a maximum storage volume with minimum earthwork.

5. Excavated Type Excavated type fish ponds are constructed by excavating the soil from the ground, relatively in level areas . The depth of pond is decided on the basis of its desired capacity obtained almost by excavation. The use of this type of pond is suitable, particularly where a small supply of water is required or small volume is available.

6. Typical Average Depth of Pond Climatic condition Average depth, m Wet 2.00 Humid 2.40 - 2.80 Moist sub humid 2.80 - 3.15 Dry sub humid 3.15 - 4.00 Semi-arid 4.00-4.80 Arid 4.80 - 5.50 Source: Mal. B.C. 2004

7. Selection of Farm Pond Site Economical point of view, a pond should be located at a site where the largest volume can be obtained with least volume of earthwork and by submerging minimum area. This condition generally occurs at a site, where the valley is narrow and the side slopes are relatively steep . Such sites help to reduce the area of shallow water, which in turn reduces the evaporation loss . It should require a short dam below a broad pond area with steep sides.

8. Removal of trees and other vegetation should be minimum . The site should have suitable foundation for the dam. There should not be excessive seepage through the foundation. Construction material should be available easily nearby. There should be a natural waterway to use it as emergency spillway .

9. When the ponds are constructed for livestock use , they should be at a minimum possible distance so that the transportation cost becomes minimum. The pond site should be such that, water can be conveyed for various purposes such as irrigation or fire protection easily. Ponds to be used for fishing or other recreation purposes should be readily accessible by transportation facilities