- 1). Learn the laws that apply to farm pond construction in your area. No federal laws apply to the building of farm ponds, so check at state and county levels and acquire any necessary permits before going ahead with your plans. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services can provide technical information, including how to select possible locations for the pond.
- 2). Select a few potential sites for the farm pond based on available land and proximity to water supplies. Contact specialists, such as land surveyors and local ecologists, who are familiar with the area to survey the possible locations. They will examine the sites' surrounding water table and soil composition to help you select the ideal site.
- 3). Hire a contractor familiar with the construction of large-scale ponds. Dams, excavation needs, runoff and drainage areas differ from site to site. Because building a farm pond requires using a lot of heavy machinery, not to mention technical knowledge, the construction should be handled by contracted builders, who are more likely to do the job right the first time around.
- 4). Plan the design of the farm pond with the contractor. The contractor will outline technical components -- such as spillways, dams and any necessary pipes -- to direct the water where it won't do any damage. He should also help you determine the best depth for the pond. The Natural Resources Conservation Services' website lists the recommended minimum depths between 5 feet in wet climates and 14 feet in arid climates. You can add help the contractor design the aesthetic components of the pond.
- 5). Clear the area for excavation. Your contractors should remove only mature trees that are within the boundaries of the planned pond or that would become damaged during construction. Minimal clearing of trees and undergrowth creates a natural transition between the existing vegetation and the new construction.
- 6). Excavate the pond. The contractor will likely create a geometric shape with graded edges, providing the natural curves that conform to the landscape. The contractor will also construct the dams, spillways and other additional features of the pond at this time. Depending on the soil composition in your area, she will add a blanket of sealant, such as clay or bentonite, or an actual liner to prevent too much water from seeping out of the pond.
- 7). Fill the pond. If your contractor determines that there's not enough runoff water to fill your pond, he may fill it using an outside water source. Once it's filled, rain and runoff should provide enough water to maintain your pond's depth.
- 8). Reestablish the surrounding vegetation. Maintain plant cover on the dam and spillway to strengthen the soil. Add top-feeding fish to ponds in areas that are prone to mosquitoes, and to help keep your water clean and unpolluted.
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