The Rural Voice, 2001-03, Page 21IP
be shown. The source of supply will
be indicated and maximum and
minimum levels detailed. Intake and
control structures must be designed
and the manner and details of intake
and withdrawal structures shown.
Soil investigation to at least one
metre below the lowest point in the
pond should be made and if it's found
to be sandy or gravelly, some means
of preventing the pond content from
disappearing provided. Pond sides
should be sloped no less than 3:1 to
avoid proliferation of aquatic weeds.
Pond liners are available but are
expensive and require
experienced applicators and
proper equipment. They are scarcely
practicable for farm use. If clean clay
can be found on the farm, a layer of
clay over the pond floor about 100
mm (four inches) thick may be
sufficient to retain the water from
loss to subsoil. Proper planning of
landscape planting can enhance the
appearance of the pond but be careful
not to plant willow trees on the
banks. Their roots can tunnel through
the banks, die and make perforations
which will be difficult to repair.
When the design is complete, it
should be submitted to the planning
department of your' local
Conservation Authority for their
approval. Requirements are not
uniform across the province and so
specific recommendations cannot be
given here. Contact the approvals
officer at your local Authority office.
Farm ponds appear to be simple
structures but the above are some of
the considerations to which answers
must be given before you spend
money on the project. Are there
children on the farm? If so, some
means of ensuring that they do not
have access to a pond without
supervision is needed. Livestock
should be kept out of the pond area.
How is it to be done? In your selected
area can you tap a source of ground
water? If you can, no approval is
required.
All of the above questions must be
asked and answered at the planning
stage. Since a considerable expense
may be entailed, be sure that you
have all the answers and that they are
verified before you begin to dig.0
J.D. Hisey is a photographer from
Markdale, ON who is trained as an
engineer.
AUSK�
COMMITTED TO QUALITY YOU CAN DEPEND ON '
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28L X 26 TIRES
LIQUID MANURE
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Also available 1/16 models
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ALMA, ONTARIO NOB 1A0 (519) 846-5329
DeMuth
Agri -Products
Belt
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Neustadt, Ontario 519-799-5366
MARCH 2001 17