Construction methods for small partially above ground pond

[pondloach]

Hi all,
I'm trying to build a small pond to fill a spot beside my new patio. I am trying to figure out what most people use to have an above ground pond. Looking to do a few hundred gallons maybe 5' by 5'-2' depth. I was thinking about sinking it one foot into the ground but and having trouble finding a method that feels safe to have sitting above ground. I am a normally an insane over builder when it comes to things though. Do people normally use wood, cinderblocks, or retaining wall blocks? Thoughts or ideas? Or if folks have links to old discussion that would be great.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

I’ll see if I can find pictures (the ones I took may not be helpful, though — if I can find them). We have a high water table here, so I had to redo my pond to bring it up, above ground level. I built what’s called a ”collar.” I used cinder blocks, but I think I’ve seen them made with treated lumber.

 

[JRS]

Welcome to the forum.

Here are a couple of links with pics:

Raised pond with window - Gold fish

Hi Is planning a raised garden pond with a windows, and would like to hear if my ideas are total off (My english is not the strongest, so hope it will work). The design is made to work as a separation "wall" between out terrace and lawn, and the we will be able to look at it from both the...

www.gardenpondforum.com

Need advice: sleeper pond with viewing window

Hi everyone, I have been following this forum for almost 2 years now. I would like to thank you to all the veterans here that have helped me with my first pond that has been running for 1.5 years now. I went with the bog design (thanks @addy1). It was slow progress due to work, funds...

www.gardenpondforum.com

 

[GaryMoz]

I used cinder blocks, but my pond was sunk further into the ground, if you want a 2ft deep pond half in half out, I would use railway sleepers (unless you want curves)

(Now I've built my first proper pond, it makes me an expert)

 

[j.w]

@pondloach
Here's how an old member did a new one of hers at her new place in Canada. She is on youtube also but doesn't come here anymore. She still has posts here tho as @callingcolleen1 :

She has a ton more too on youtube under the name: Colleen Penny

 

[j.w]

View attachment 166168@pondloach
Here's how an old member did a new one of hers at her new place in Canada. She is on youtube also but doesn't come here anymore. She still has posts here tho as @callingcolleen1 :

She has a ton more too on youtube under the name: Colleen Penny

Another one:

 

[bjorn_toulouse]

My pond is raised about a foot off the ground and sunk by a foot and a half.
I used brick and cinder blocks with a sandstone front facing edge. The "liner" was concrete finished with waterproof pond paint.

 

[Lisak1]

View attachment 166168@pondloach
Here's how an old member did a new one of hers at her new place in Canada. She is on youtube also but doesn't come here anymore. She still has posts here tho as @callingcolleen1 :

She has a ton more too on youtube under the name: Colleen Penny

I didn’t know Colleen was still posting on YouTube!

 

[j.w]

I didn’t know Colleen was still posting on YouTube!

Yep she still is and I do enjoy her pond video's!

 

[pondloach]

Well lots of interesting ideas. Thanks a bunch. I'm trying not to get too much scope creep. I just finished the patio and don't want to much more work. I may just go with a stock tank and exterior wood cover. This is the area I'm planning on for the small pond. All the grass was destroyed by the patio project.

 

[GaryMoz]

Well lots of interesting ideas. Thanks a bunch. I'm trying not to get too much scope creep. I just finished the patio and don't want to much more work. I may just go with a stock tank and exterior wood cover. This is the area I'm planning on for the small pond. All the grass was destroyed by the patio project.

If is just a box, then as I said sleepers, if your ground is firm just dig down the foot and square it out, put a sleeper collar, edge on, around the top. Underlay and a liner, finally a rim of decking on the sleepers to hide edge of lining.

One other option/addition I've seen is to put foam sheets down the sides to smooth out the dirt and sleepers before the underlay, it also acts to minimise movement between different materials.