Draining Standing Water to Pond

Should I drain this standing water into the pond?

  • Yes

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  • No

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Hi All,

This is my second post and its related to my FIRST POST.

I done a lot of work clearing some brush and trees since than and I have also confirmed that its not wetlands, just runoff from the road and the higher elevations. I'm ready to drain it into the the pond next door which is half on our property. The neighbors don't mind and we noticed evidence of a very old small stone trench at the edge of our side leading towards the standing water. Its obvious that one time it drained in but the land between rose and blocked the standing water.

The neighbors and I agreed that the pond can handle the runoff so my plan is to build a drain from the pond to the low land. I'll make sure its pitched well enough,lined with landscape fabric, tampered down with 3/4 washed rock then running slotted pipe drain to pond. My neighbor owns a construction company and lets me use his little mini excavator so should take a week or so.

Just curious if anyone sees any potential harm here? I appreciate we will be removing a vernal pond habitat but the larger pond is a beautiful eco system and I have talked to the neighbors about planting more things to protect small animals and eggs. I hope people aren't too upset by my decision but the having a 2 year old and the prospect of all the mosquitoes is not worth it :(

Thanks in advance all
SH
 

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Meyer Jordan

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The watershed of most natural ponds, make that bodies of water, is predominantly run-off. Can't see where it will make a permanent negative impact on the main pond.
Can you post a picture of this main pond?
 
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What is the level height difference between the 2 bodies of water?
The trench will have to be deep enough to start at the bottom of the smaller pond and then decline into the larger pond.
I suggest a slope of 1/8" per foot.
I would hate to see the 2 areas level out or worse, have the bigger body of water drain into the smaller one.
Maybe another idea is to fill in the smaller area.
 
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Thanks so much for your replies and insight @Meyer Jordan @MitchM

The pond is on lower land by over 1', maybe 2' but I still won't be able to get the right pitch without moving some dirt around. I think its totally do-able.

Here are some more photos. Please let me know if you see any potential issues.

Thanks again


Large pond
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Ground level view from standing water to pond:
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Ground view large pond to standing water:
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Land between to bodies of water:
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I'm also concerned about the path of the ditch and the tree roots. I might have to cut thru them or bend around them?
Anyone have any thoughts on that?
 

DeepWater

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Do you really need to do this? Why not leave the wetland as a rain garden of sorts. Does it dry up on its own over a few days time? Or does it sit there endlessly breeding mosquitos?

What happens after significant rain? Does it get deep enough that it does drain over into the pond, following the old drain path?
 
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I think a rain garden is a great idea.
What kind of trees are those?
What is the soil composition?
The concern about damaging tree roots is valid, if we can think of another way to deal with the wet area, it may be better than draining it.
How long during the year is this area wet?
Possibly filling in the area with a loose substrate that could maybe host some moisture loving shade plants like hostas would work. It depends what area of the country you live in.
 
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Do you really need to do this? Why not leave the wetland as a rain garden of sorts. Does it dry up on its own over a few days time? Or does it sit there endlessly breeding mosquitos?

What happens after significant rain? Does it get deep enough that it does drain over into the pond, following the old drain path?

It stays wet almost all year unless we have a few hot days in the summer without rain but it never flows into the pond. It actually will expand the other way which is lower land than the land between the two bodies of water. I would love to leave it but we're concerned for young kids and mosquitoes!
 
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I think a rain garden is a great idea.
What kind of trees are those?
What is the soil composition?
The concern about damaging tree roots is valid, if we can think of another way to deal with the wet area, it may be better than draining it.
How long during the year is this area wet?
Possibly filling in the area with a loose substrate that could maybe host some moisture loving shade plants like hostas would work. It depends what area of the country you live in.

We live in the NY Hudson Valley. I am not sure what the soil composition is like and the trees are mostly maples, elms and oak but there are many species.
I have already cleared a few of the damaged trees or the leaners so I would like to avoid removing any more or damaging any roots that would hurt the growth of the trees.
 

DeepWater

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If this were mine, I think before doing any digging I'd go out with a couple rakes and do some exploring along the old canal paths. See if I could pull out enough leaves and sticks and loose topsoil to possibly free up some flow - in either direction.

With all those trees I wouldn't want to dredge a deep trench. It might seem fine for a year or two, but cutting roots could lead to some inner wood rot and early tree death. Similar pain applies with putting too much fill in the wet spot. Covering existing root systems with dirt could smother their air supply and kill them off. (But then again, that area is covered with water now so what difference would smothering with dirt be to it?)
 
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Just so long as there is a large water volume to dilute any toxic chemical like a pesticide or oil you are probably okay. I pump my water to the pond from a 6 acre lake and pull the water in 2 feet below the surface to avoid any possible oil contamination from the surface of the lake just as a precaution and have had no problems.
 

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