Lets assume you have free choice as to where you put your pond, use this check list for concerns that need to
be addressed.
Sun/shade: The best choice would be a full sun situation in the morning and part shade in the afternoon. This can be achieved by
trees blocking the sun in the afternoon, yet far enough away from the pond to prevent leaves from falling in the pond.
Wind: Wind can be your worst enemy! Evaporation and water blowing from your waterfall or spitters can quickly cause a pond
to be at a constant needing to be fill stage. You can create your own wind break situation by adding a hedge, trees or even
a structure as a gazebo. If you decide at add a fence as your wind break keep in mind that a solid fence structure will create
more of a problem, so for maximum effect, your fence should be 50% permeable. This will break up the air currents instead
of deflecting the full wind effect some where else in the garden by using a full fence. The Waterfalls should never be facing
the wind or have the wind blowing across the waterfall, this can also lead to water loss.
Run off: Placing your pond in the lowest area
in your yard allows all rain fall, run off; such as dirt, debris, grass fertilizer, and other pollutants to flow into your
pond. What doesn't run into your pond may run behind the liner and can cause a balloon effect in you pond, pushing the liner
up with ground water and run off under the liner. After a few hours this will drain away leaving your pond in a very low water
situation, this can leave your pump with out water causing it to burn up. Low
lying areas are also subject to frost pockets.
Construction: If you
plan on using a mechanical way to dig your pond keep in mind that mature trees and shrubs in the surrounding area need to
be protected. Driving within 10 foot of a tree can cause compaction of roots and often results in death to the tree within
a few years. Digging to close to a tree can also damage the root system and may blow over in a storm, hopefully not into your
pond.
Borrow a view: Your neighbors landscaping can be utilized as a backdrop for your pond, walk around all sides of the potential pond
location to see what is part of your ponds aesthetic consideration. You might also have inherited an eyesore, so be critical
when spotting your ponds location.
Proportion, proportion: A large pond in a small garden can actually defeat your purpose of a balanced yard and landscaping. Utilize large plantings
to complement the over sized pond, this will direct the view to proportional sized objects other than the pond. The same applies
to a small pond in a large yard, rather than placing a small pond directly in the middle of a large yard, nestle it in a corner
or among plantings surrounding it as a hidden treasure.
Supporting Materials: The surrounding materials
that you use can contaminate your pond, treated lumber can be treated with arsenic or other toxic chemicals. Consider using
aged lumber or some of the new plastic and cedar mixed lumber. Redwood is also toxic to fish and plants, even runoff contaminates
the pond. Soft rock and marble should also be avoided , limestone will leach
lime into your pond, raising the pH levels. Anytime you use something around your pond first ask yourself, is this fish safe?
