CHAPTER IV. 



CHARACTER, LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OP PONDS. 



In the construction of ponds water is the prime factor, because neces- 

 sarily the first consideration of the builder. The water supply determined 

 upon, the soil, its water-holding and vegetation-producing capacity, the 

 size and location of the pond or ponds to be constructed, must next be 

 considered. These are the forethoughts of pond making; the after 

 thoughts are plentiful enough, as every pond builder knows. 



If the conditions of soil and water are favorable the labor is greatly 

 simplified. If unfavorable then skill and patience and perseverance will 

 be required to overcome the unfavorable conditions. But these latter are 

 matter of special thought, and since no general provision would apply to 

 them, they must simply be laid aside until each condition and situation is 

 known and can be studied and provided for by itself. 



In a dry time it looks a simple thing fo build a dam across a dry 

 stream, or at the open end of a gulch or ravine, and so form a pond. If 

 the gulch, ravine or stream is of any length, or drains any considerable 

 territory of the rainfalls, an ordinary dam and overflow will be of no con- 

 sequence. We know of some beautiful ponds constructed in just such 

 places. It requires skill, money and labor. A very correct idea of the 

 dam necessary in such a location will be obtained by viewing some of the 

 mill dams built in rivers and streams. The requirements are excavations 

 on sides and bottom down to a firm, waterproof base, then heavy, sub. 

 stantial, symmetrical structures from basi- to summit. The latter being 

 level from side to side the entire length of the dam, spreading the over- 

 flowing water into as thin a sheet as possible. The carp pond dam on 

 other and smaller streams should differ from the mill dam in being wider 

 on the top, and a few inches above the desired water level a six-inch 

 stratum of coarse gravel, extending from side to side and end to end of 

 the dam, should be placed. This will act as a strainer for any ordinary 

 freshet, and prevent the escape of the fish. The advantage of such a pond 

 is that more otherwise useless and unsightly ground can generally be cov- 

 ered, frequently to the extent of making a pleasure resort and a place for 

 picnicing and boating. 



For general pond purposes, the water, both in supply and escape t 

 should be under the more perfect control of the culturist than is possible 

 in the ponds mentioned. The way to secure such control is to dam the 

 gulch or stream higher up in its course, and from the backwater, by means 

 of open ditches or pipes, conduct the water in just the quantities wanted 

 to the ponds, which may then be located at your pleasure on either side 



