~ SSRsi's Dams & Ponds Page ~

While it's not for everyone (you need the space & a water source) building your own dam & pond can result in a source of food, power and recreation. Of course you may have to battle the EPA and their ilk... .

Intuition ~ Creativity ~ Adaptability
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Protecting Water Supply Springs Proper spring development helps protect the water supply form contamination. The objective of spring development is to collect the flowing water underground to protect it from surface contamination and store it in a sanitary spring box. Proper development depends on whether the spring is a concentrated spring or a seepage spring.

Small Earth Fill Dams An earth fill dam can provide a cost-effective method of storing larger volumes of water for livestock or irrigation. Compared to a dugout, the construction costs for a dam can be much lower per gallon of water stored. Excellent page! Highly informative

48 - Small earth dams.p65 Excellent PDF - Download it before it disappears! While You're at it, download this one too: GUIDELINES ON INSPECTING SMALL DAMS

Maintaining Small Dams Dams are a valuable asset. They usually impound water with little input from the owner, and problems that occur usually are minor. Problems can worsen, however, and can become more expensive to repair if not fixed promptly. When a dam needs work, do it as soon as possible. A minor problem can turn into a major reconstruction project or even result in dam failure. This guide describes actions you should take and items you should check to keep your small dams in good repair.

Design Considerations for Small Earthfill Dams Earth embankment is the most common type of small dam. Embankment material can usually be obtained nearby the site in convenient locations. The ratio of material cost to labour cost is low, making it practical for an owner with access to small equipment to do their own construction work at minimal cost.

Managing blue-green algae in farm dams Farm dams are vulnerable to blue-green algal blooms, as are the coastal and inland dams and rivers of NSW. A blue-green algal bloom is a rapid increase in the number of blue-green algae, and usually but not always occurs in summer months. This Agfact is designed to help farmers prevent and control the growth of blue-green algae in their farm dams.

PRAIRIE DUGOUTS AND STOCK WATERING DAMS The two most common water projects built to meet farm requirements are the dugout (farm pond) and dam. On most prairie farms, wherever land with sufficient drainage area slopes toward a central or focal point in a field, suitable sites for small, water storage projects can be found. Such storages make dependable farm water supplies possible for domestic, stock-watering and irrigation purposes.

BEAVER POND MANAGEMENT. Beaver ponds provide a diversity of habitat types depending upon the size, age, and hydrology of the area. The ponds affect wetland quality by filtering sediment and organic matter that is normally carried down stream. The transport of organic matter provides a nutrient base for invertebrates and aquatic plants. Aquatic invertebrates are the protein base for breeding waterfowl and their broods. See also: Beaver Pond Benefits [PDF] (Different)

Pond construction: PAGE 1 (There are 3 pages total in this series) from Scenic Harbor Nursery. More for the backyard scenic pond, but has some good essential info.

The Art of Pond Planning...Hints & Tips.

Ohio Pond Management Bulletin 374. This bulletin has been prepared to serve as a guide for the small impoundment owner and/or manager. The practices outlined apply principally to the management of small impoundments for fishing and other recreational uses. They represent the best information available, although they may change as more research is done on the subject.

Small Dams Rehabilitation/Construction Project

Restoration Approaches: Small Dams  Dams have been widely and correctly condemned for their negative influence on the environment. However, small dams built specifically to restore or create wetland habitat have been used successfully in a number of circumstances. In the Northern Territory, Australia, small dams have been used to halt saltwater intrusion. Where wetlands have been drained, drainage ditches can be plugged with small dams. Where natural drainage ways exist, dams can be installed to hold water in place and create small wetlands.

Aquatic weed control in small dams and waterways Aquatic weeds grow profusely in most areas of water, but are particularly troublesome where run-off water containing high levels of plant nutrients feed them. Examples include run-off from golf courses and fertilized pastures, and various kinds of effluent.

Publication Number: EM 1110-2-2902
Title: Engineering and Design - Conduits, Culverts, and Pipes

Proponent: CECW-ED
Publication Date: 31 October 1997 - Original. 31 March 1998 - Change 1.
Distribution Restriction Statement: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Entire document (This file contains all elements of the document inclusive of appendices. Changes from 31 March 1998 have been incorporated into original document. File size: 3.1 MB.)
Basic document (This file contains all elements of the document exclusive of appendices. Changes from 31 March 1998 have been incorporated into original document. File size: 2.5 MB.)
Notification of Changes
Transmittal Letter
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Cast-in-Place Conduits for Dams
Chapter 3 - Circular Reinforced Concrete Pipe for Small Dams and Levees
Chapter 4 - Corrugated Metal Pipe for Rural Levees and Culverts
Chapter 5 - Concrete Culverts
Chapter 6 - Plastic Pipe for Other Applications
Chapter 7 - Ductile Iron Pipe and Steel Pipe for Other Applications
Chapter 8 - Pipe Jacking
Appendix A - References
Appendix B - Design Examples
Appendix C - Evaluation and Inspection of Existing Systems
Appendix D - Repair of Existing Systems
Appendix E - Metric Conversion Data Sheet

Small dams improve the lives of Indian farmers Small villages in India are showing how small dams, built by the people and for the people with the help of non-governmental organizations, have helped to improve the lives of all those living and farming in the surrounding areas. The technology is based on ancient practices that are now undergoing a revival as villagers all over India grow disenchanted with large-scale government water projects.

Low cost methods for safety improvement of medium and small dams Most risk analysis and safety improvements are made by wealthy owners of rather safe dams. But most of the failures and relevant victims around the world have been caused by small or medium size dams for irrigation or water supply ; owners of such dams have usually reduced financial resources and few technical knowledge of risks. After an analysis of ruptures of European dams, the paper suggests realistic and low cost ways to help improving dam safety : identification of dams most at risk within an important portfolio of medium and small dams, solutions to improve structural safety and solutions to improve safety against floods. See also: Dams less than thirty meters high: | Guidelines for small dams : Conclusion

Small Earth Fill Dams [PDF] Download before it disappears! This one, too: Maintaining Small Dams

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