Cold Rain And Snow… A Pond and Ducks

This winter has been a winter like no other that we have experienced since we moved here 4 years ago. For starters we have had around 24 inches of snowfall that stayed for a few weeks instead of disappearing within a few days. We have had a lot of rain and are expecting another 3 inches over the next three days.

While all this rain and snow has been good for the farming community it has also made it difficult to get outside and make improvements on and around the property.  I have an outdoor project to-do list that I need to complete before my guests start arriving in early April, as much of my time will then be devoted to them.

The road sign was one such project (see previous post, “That's the signpost up ahead—your next stop…”). Another project was to expand our orchard, which is nearing completion with only the deer fencing remaining. One project that I had hoped I would have had more time for was to expand and add to the hiking trails which was important for two reasons, I want to provide our guests with the opportunity to explore our property and enjoy the natural setting and I want to see the property for myself. On that last point, we have 100 acres and yet I have personally only explored about 15%. Which is a shame as what we have explored thus far is absolutely beautiful!

Now for those guests that will be visiting Yosemite this year, all this rain and snow will make for spectacular waterfalls this season that should remain full through mid-August. We also have waterfalls on our property as we have about 600 feet of elevation change and seasonal streams. Alas though our waterfalls and seasonal streams will all but disappear in mid-April. It is to that point that I am planning our largest project for later this year, that being, a dam, a duck-pond, and ultimately a year-round stream and two waterfalls.

We have a pond when we get rain. When the rain stops the pond evaporates or drains through the soil and like our seasonal waterfalls and streams disappears in April. Right now it is full, with a beautiful stream and waterfall that feeds it. Unfortunately we have no guests here at the moment to enjoy it and when they are here all I can show them is a big hole in the ground.

So here is the project idea… build an earth fill dam to trap sediment before it enters the pond. Once the pond is drained, add sodium bentonite clay to seal the pond. Install a pump and dig a trench from the pump to the top of the stream. Place in the trench PVC piping connecting the pump to the stream head and cover trench. Fill pond. Turn on pump. Stock with fish. Get ducks. Simple right? Perhaps it might be useful to get a second opinion… from a qualified engineer.

All comments from engineers (or anyone for that matter) are welcome!