Little Pond on the Prairie
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Welcome to the Little Pond on the Prairie!
We built our first pond in the summer of 2006. We quickly learned that our design was not acceptable for the weather we get in Northern California. We will show you both ponds and keep you updated on what is going on around the prairie.
( new pond design )
BEFORE
This was the first pond- it was 10x19x2' liner pond. 3000 gallons
We quickly were told that in this area, we would have to cover the pond for shade....boy were they right! We fought algae all summer long. Also, being only 3 feet deep, the water got extremely warm during the summer and evaporation was awful. And something we didn't think about in designing it was the fact that loose river rock edging would not be pet or kid friendly. Many a dog and cat fell in and a few close calls with the kids.
The Laguna PowerFlo Falls Filter worked wonderful though! We are re-using it in the filter set up on the new pond. I highly recommend the filter.
Another flaw (for me) was the fact that I wanted both plants and koi together. I spent more time in the water getting pond pieces out of the pump then I cared for.
****huge mistake----goldfish!!! I got a few 5 inch goldfish to put into the pond until I could buy some koi.....those few goldfish turned into 25 goldfish the next spring. I will never have another goldfish again. I am keeping with just KOI.
AFTER
This is the new pond we just finished (4/08)-10x17x 5.5 ft deep. 8000 gallons. SHADED!!! Wooden frame lined with edpm liner. We also added on a much bigger shaded area for entertaining and enjoying the pond.
I can not get over what a difference this has made in our ability to enjoy the pond. You can see in the old pond pic that there really was no place to sit and enjoy the pond (especially during the summer months). The total shade structure is 20x32.
The best part of the re-do--- our koi are in seventh heaven. I swear I could see them smile when they first swam around the new much larger pond.
I do however miss all of my pond plants. I did however keep all of my water lilies and built them their own ponds to live in. I will post pictures of that on another page. I do not miss the 65 goldfish that we weeded out when we tore down the old pond.
NEW - pic of lily pond on construction page
