Building a Pond
 

Okay-here's a question for you forum friends. Does anyone know about building a small (1/2 acre) pond? Are there restrictions about doing something like that? Are there any companies in the area that do this kind of thing?

I'm wondering because I am looking at property to buy in the area and notice some have big fields where a pond would be nice.

I know that a permit is required from DES, maybe a minimum impact agricultural project.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis...ries/forms.htm

and that if granted there are best management practices to follow.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis...ices_agric.pdf

Best to give DES a call. Maybe shore things will chime in.

I know someone who tried to build a pond years ago and gave up. Too many hoops to jump through. He was a local selectmen too. Maybe it was the area, I don't know, but I know he got discouraged.

Building a pond in the Lakes Region....go for it Cate! ;)

Just kidding. :D

Hope your search is narrowing down :)....we were searching for over 3 years. :eek:

uplands
 

If it is in uplands, it will be pretty easy, the only permit I think you would need would be an AOT (alteration of terrain) from DES, Talk to Ridge M. he is very easy to work with. The town since the general are not engineers will give you the most trouble, but maybe not. If your impact is large you will be to get a SWPPP and a NOI, you could even be required to have a CPESC, that stands "Giant Scam", good luck, make sure the site contractor you hire knows of these rules many do not, and you can get in serious trouble as the owner.
I hope this does not scare you, it should not be that much trouble, just need to do the proper paper work/red tape.

In this day and age, forget it! Years ago maybe it could be done with no problem. Now with federal and state regulations, I'd forget it.

I certainly would too.

Hi Cate:

Check out the July/August edition of Yankee mag., page 34, nice article on building a backyard pond.

Building a pond
 

Oh, boy, this could turn into a 'swamp' before you know it. A POND sounds like WATER, and water sounds like WET LANDS, and you might be creating a mess you will come to rue. New Hampshire (at the State level) and the local Towns (at their level) are top heavy with regulations concerning water. Although I don't want to discourage you, please don't go right out and by a shovel. My guess is that the regulations, hearings, and permitting process will keep you busy for a while. For you sake, I hope I am wrong, but some of the towns are absolutely overboard (no pun intended) about water and anything to do with it. There are soil scientists and surveyors and land use specialists who have made quite nice livings representing clients in cases involving existing water, I can't imagine what they would charge to create water. Best of luck.

Just build a really big, shallow swimming pool. put lots of plants and rocks around it and don't put any chlorine in it....You'll have a pond in no time.....;):D

Hmm. Sounds like this is more complicate than I thought. I may have to settle for water small water garden. :)

But good to know about the number of hoops, should I be in a situation where I am mulling over making a pond.

Koi ponds can be nice. My neighbor has one as a show-piece since he does them as part of his land-scaping business. (This is not a referal, you are goig to be out of his range.) The rules for a Koi pond are probably less restrictive than a full-size pond and the gold-fish are optional.

Good luck!

Informative
 

Hi Cate,

I followed this thread on another forum (Tractors) and thought you may find it interesting. There is a lot of good info there.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/p...ting-lake.html

It is not a competing forum, so hopefully the link is OK to add here.

Building a Pond
 

You might want to consider building a Natural Swimming Pool.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploa...93-064-01m.jpg

This type of pool is very common in Europe. I've seen them a few times on various HGTV shows. This option might have a lot less hoops than building an actual pond.

If that fails... trap a beaver and invite it to live at your stream. :laugh: The state would have fun going after him for the permits. ;)

Funny you should mention this because I found out about these natural pools awhile ago too. Great concept. Wonder about the cost.

Ponds.......not so bad
 

Cate,

I am in the process of putting a pond in now. It's relatively easy working with the state on this. PM me if youd like to talk further on it.

Hey Court,while your at my place next week could you throw in one of those too?:laugh:

I have never even heard of those. Sounds very interesting. Inquiring minds like to know.:D

You could contact Ridgewood Country Club in Moultonboro. I know they had very nice and rather large pond put in for their aqua driving range.

Sounds like putting pond in is possible if a little complex, but remember that taking that pond out will be impossible.

If you have a stream running thru your property, perhaps you can rent a family of beavers, and do it 'naturally' :D

Any pond constructed in an area that is not already a wetland or does not intercept an existing waterbody (stream or existing natural pond) does not need a permit from the DES Wetlands Bureau. If you biuld a pond of this nature take pre and post construction photos of the pond, date them, and put them in a safe place (one youmight remember the location of in 20 years) for your records. The reason for the photos is that maintenance, including dredging, of man-made ponds that don't have direct connect to natural waters does not require a permit.

If you are going to build a pond that does require impact some natural wet resource then some state level permitting will be required in advance. The most complicated situation would be construction of a dam as this will involve a Wetlands permit, Dam Safety permit, and your homeowner's insurance company might take interest.

If there is not going to build a dam then your Wetlands permit needs will depend upon how much of the area is wet before the project begins. The smaller the amount of the final pond area to be located within pre-existing wetalnds, the less invovolved the process is, so it is wise to merely "tap into" the existing resouce rather than to try to make the entire resource something completely different than what exists naturally. Less the 3,000 sq ft of Wetlands disturbance can be covered on a minimum impact application. Between 3,000 and 10,000 sq ft will be a minor impact project. You will need to file a standard dredge and fill application with the Wetlands Bureau. You should have plans showing how deep the pond will be in addition to how large it will be (this requirement seems to catch many applicants by surprise). Impacting more than 10,000 sq ft of wetlands will get you into the mitigation requirements. These are requirements directly linked to NH'S ability to maintain it's State Programmatic General Permit with the Army Corps of Engineers and therefore they are not waived without some effort and cause.

You will not need to speak to Ridge or any of the folks in AoT (Alteration of Terrain unless you are going to disturb more tan 50,000 sq ft of ground surface during the pond construction.

Town regs will of course vary depending on the town the pond will be located in.

Please call Wetlands at (603) 271-2147 if you need us.

Yes.

Just like a swimming pool you need a source of water. If not the pond will go stagnant. You need a brook or stream with constant flow. I have seen this done more then a few times.

But as others have stated, now you do have wetlands and nearly impossible to fill in when and if you decide to or the next owner decides to. Ponds are pretty but no one can build on them.

There used to be federal money to constuct a pond for the fire departments. Since this area has few if any hydrants a pond becomes an asset. Not sure if you can get federal/state/local money for a pond anymore but at one time you could. And this route you would need a hydrant for access to fire vehicles. And it could lower your homeowners insurance bill.

Exactly what happened across the street from my house.The pond was created where an existing stream ran through and a hydrant was installed a mere 100 ft from my house.The insurance gives me a break because of the hydrants proximity.