
To add water to a pond, you need to choose a source, such as the tap, hose, rainwater, or trickling in from another natural body of water. Next, choose if you’re going to treat the water with a dechlor or water conditioner to make it safe for the pond. Finally, add about 10% of new water every week.
Full Answer
How do you add water to a pond?
To add water to a pond, you need to choose a source, such as the tap, hose, rainwater, or trickling in from another natural body of water. Next, choose if you’re going to treat the water with a dechlor or water conditioner to make it safe for the pond.
How do I get rid of green algae in my pond?
Plenty of oxygen in the water helps keep things in balance and also helps circulate the water in your pond while improving overall water quality. Good aeration alongside the correct pond plants will clear green algae in no time.
Can you use rainwater to fill a pond?
Using rainwater to fill a pond is one of the most efficient ways to do so. Many experts highly recommend it since it’s a free, mostly-pure form of water. You could also add water from another natural source, such as a lake, river, stream, or another local pond.
What can interfere with a pond?
The foliage hangs into the pond water. You can take the Juniper tree as an example. They hang their leaves into the water. Resulting in water loss for the pond. These are huge trees and can consume a lot of water from the pond. Wildlife will interfere with your pond depending on the location and the nature of the pond.

How deep are ponds on golf courses?
Golf balls are retrieved from water hazards on courses all over the world, and while the water depth is rarely more than 40 feet -- and usually less than half that -- divers can easily become disoriented or overly weighted down by the reclaimed balls and equipment.
How do you irrigate a golf course?
0:373:10Watering The Golf Course: From Source to Sprinkler - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the water is on site the pump system sends water through a network of underground. Pipes. SoMoreOnce the water is on site the pump system sends water through a network of underground. Pipes. So that it can be delivered by sprinklers or hoses to where it is needed on the course.
Where does golf course water come from?
Golf courses use a variety of water sources for turfgrass irrigation including groundwater, surface water (lakes, rivers and reservoirs), recycled water, and municipal potable water supplies.
How much water does it take to water a golf course?
In California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.
How do golf courses water the greens?
Hand watering is the most effective and accurate way to water putting greens. Even with a state-of-the-art irrigation system, certain areas on each putting green will need more water than others – e.g., mounds and high-traffic areas.
Are golf courses a waste of water?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. golf courses consume more than 2 billion gallons of water per day, and since one in every 17 of U.S. courses is located in arid and semi-arid California, our 921 courses consume a sizable chunk of that total daily.
How much water does a golf course use per acre?
Water use varies significantly by agronomic region. An average 18-hole golf facility in the Southwest region uses an average of 4 acre-feet of water per irrigated acre per year. An average 18-hole golf facility in the Northeast region uses an average of 0.8 acre-feet of water per irrigated acre per year.
How many gallons a day does a golf course use?
Audubon International estimates that the average American course uses 312,000 gallons per day. In a place like Palm Springs, where 57 golf courses challenge the desert, each course eats up a million gallons a day.
Do golf courses use GREY water?
In fact, an increasing number of courses are using effluent water – often referred to as “gray water.” Government regulations and water availability have led to the increased use of gray water at golf facilities, says Brian Vinchesi, design engineer at Irrigation Consulting Inc., Pepperell, Mass.
What kind of water do golf courses use?
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), which serves 105 of the golf courses, draws from the California Water Project, the Colorado River and the aquifer. Kessler, who heads up the Coachella Valley Golf and Water Task Force, said much of the water used to irrigate golf courses is non-potable.
Do golf courses use recycled water?
Nationwide, approximately 13% of golf courses use recycled water for irrigation. More facilities would gladly convert to using recycled water, but the main limitation is the lack of a piping system to deliver the recycled water to golf courses, which can cost $1 million per mile or more to install.
Why are golf courses bad for the environment?
Environmentalists argue that golf course land is not only a waste of space, but also harbors harmful impacts to the earth and environment, such as pesticide use. This negative impact occurs by using large quantities of water and destroying habitats for wildlife species.
How many sprinklers do you need on a golf course?
A golf course can have between 500 and 5,000 sprinklers, or even more installed throughout an 18-hole facility. A golf irrigation sprinkler uses 18–45 gallons per minute throwing 50–90 feet with as many as 100 sprinklers operating at the same time.
Why is irrigation important for golf course?
For golf, irrigation not only helps to meet turf water requirements during periods of drought stress or low rainfall, but also helps to maximize turf playability, improve nutrient efficiency, reduce canopy temperature and is an essential component in turf seeding and re- establishment.
How long does a golf course irrigation system last?
The life expectancy of a typical irrigation system varies from 10 to 30 years, depending on the geographic location of the course and the demands on the system. Good preventive maintenance can extend a system's longevity, but sooner or later, your irrigation will need to be renovated or replaced.
How often do they water golf courses?
It's better to water “deeply and infrequently,” Cutler says. About a third of an inch every two to three days is a good goal.
Why do golf courses have water features?
Most golf projects include a significant amount of water features for reasons ranging from the need to generate dirt to providing enhanced aesthetic value. The key when designing a course is to attempt to balance these interests in a way that provides the maximum benefit throughout the life of the project.
How is phosphorus removed from a pond?
Phosphorus is removed through chemical reactions with mineral-rich soil of the pond floor.
What nutrients are needed to control algae blooms?
Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are food for algae and, consequently, their presence in large quantities almost ensures the algae blooms that superintendents frequently battle. Our strategy for controlling the problem takes a two-pronged approach.
Why do golf course lakes need PVC?
To conserve water in golf course lakes, it’s typical to line them with an impervious membrane to prevent leaking. PVC liners have been the material of choice for the lake industry.
How deep should a lake be for aeration?
For good aeration, the preferable lake water depth is 15 feet, and 10 feet as a minimum.
Is PVC a good lake bottom?
A PVC liner must be covered with soil, and from an aesthetic viewpoint, a soil bottom is the most desirable lake bottom surface. There are other materials that have been used in lake systems; some covered and some uncovered. But PVC continues to be the most suitable for this type of work.
Why is it important to maintain a golf course pond?
That’s why it’s critical for golf courses to maintain their ponds. The most attractive golf courses are usually the ones that contain an abundance of sparkling lakes, ponds and other beautiful water features. This makes golf course pond maintenance a top priority for groundskeepers. Timely sediment removal is a critical step for ensuring golf ...
How does a golf course pond dredge work?
The machine works by pumping the water and sludge out through a submersible pump and into a series of bladder bags or dewatering tubes. These bags have minuscule holes, which let the water escape but keep the muck inside. Golf course pond maintenance often benefits from both dredging ...
What happens when a pond is left without oxygen?
Without oxygen, sludge builds up. When the mud and muck break down, it consumes the oxygen left in your pond. Limited oxygen then lends itself to the growth of algae, which results in a lake that smells and lacks visual appeal.
How deep should a pond be to aerate?
This technique is recommended for ponds that are at least 8 feet deep. Some courses opt to use aeration alongside chemical treatments.
Do golf courses have ponds?
Golf Course Pond Maintenance. Golfers may differ on their opinion of water hazards — some may like the challenge, others not so much. They all share the same view, though, when it comes to a golf course pond that’s covered in algae, smells and attracts a hive of insects. That’s why it’s critical for golf courses to maintain their ponds.
What is a water hazard in golf?
In summary, a water hazard marked with yellow is a standard water hazard. Water marked with red is called a lateral water hazard, and normally runs along the side of a golf hole. The three options you have in both cases are that you can play the ball from where it lies, go back to where you hit your last shot, or take a drop anywhere along ...
What are the rules of golf for water hazards?
Rules of Golf – Water Hazards. When you hit your ball into a water hazard, the first thing to do is to notice whether the hazard is marked with the red stakes for lines, or with yellow stakes or lines.
Can you play the ball from where you found it?
Assuming you can’t play the ball from where you found it, each option from a water hazard comes with a one stroke penalty. In both red and yellow hazards, you also have the option to go back to the point where you played your last shot, and play from there.
Why does water seep through rocks in a pond?
Also, water can seepage through these rocks. Rocks that are submerged in the water are more likely to increase the loss. This is because the thin water layer will evaporate faster.
Why doesn't water go back to the pond?
Water splashes out of the stream and then it doesn’t go back to the pond due to wind action. In the fancy type of ponds where you have a waterfall and fountain system this kind of problem is seen. A single drop of water can fill out a bathtub in one day if continuously added throughout the day.
What causes a pond to lose water?
Low and narrow banks are also responsible for pond water loss. Water seepage can easily take place through a narrow bank. Water escapes from the pond at a low point, thus low edges have their effect. It also shows that the edges of the pond are not even, therefore it is losing water.
What is a pond liner made of?
Try to make sure that the installment of the pond liner is proper. A liner is made of PVC or rubber. There are different kinds of liners. Different kinds of ponds will need different kinds of pond liners depending on its type.
Why is a pond liner important?
Pond liner is very important in holding water in your pond. Damage in pond liner is a common cause of water loss in the pond. If you haven’t installed the pond liner accurately, there is a great chance that the liner has been damaged. Leaks, splits or cracks in the pond liner are reasons for water loss.
Why do leaves and twigs overflow in ponds?
In some cases, because of not taking proper care of pond they become way too much in the pond. This then raises the level because of Archimedes’s law. As a result, if you have low edges then the water will overflow.
How much water does a pond lose in a week?
Evaporation can cause the water level to drop 1 inch per week. This is the most common cause of water loss in a pond. The rate of evaporation depends on size, location of the pond, time of year and most importantly weather.
What is the best device to pull a golf ball out of a water hazard?
Ball Retriever. A golf ball retriever is the ideal device for pulling a ball out of a water hazard on the course. It is long, with a telescoping handle and a tip with a retrieving tool that allows you to scoop up the ball.
How long is a golf ball?
When shortened, a golf ball retriever can be as short as one foot long, although most retriever retract to about three to four feet. Depending on which model you buy, the retriever can extend to between 10 and 15 feet.
Can you retrieve a golf ball in a pond?
Hitting your golf ball into a water hazard is no laughing matter when it comes time to write down your score, but the situation is somewhat improved if you're able to retrieve the ball.
What causes green water in ponds?
A build-up of green algae causes green water. These algae feed on waste in your pond and if left unchecked get out of control very quickly. In a matter of days, your nice clear pond teems with green water algae and looks like pea soup. The most common forms of algae that may be found in pond water include spongomonas, ...
How to introduce air into a pond?
Aeration. We mentioned aeration earlier when we talked about plants. Another way to introduce air into your pond is with an air pump, a waterfall, or a fountain. Plenty of oxygen in the water helps keep things in balance and also helps circulate the water in your pond while improving overall water quality.
What plants can I add to my pond?
One type of plant you should add in at the start is an oxygenating plant. Ceratophyllum submersum or Hornwort is great, this quick-growing pond plant will help add oxygen to your pond and help combat the green water problem. Another great plant you can use at the start to add as natural filtration is pond cabbage.
Why is my pond green?
Green pond water is caused by an imbalance in your eco-system. This could be down to the number of fish and waste build-up, lack of plants to naturally filter the water and remove ammonia and nitrites caused by fish waste, using too much fish food, or lack of proper filtration and beneficial bacteria to clean out your water over time.
How to keep pond green?
Only feed them enough food that they each within a couple of minutes or else decaying food will build up and feed the water algae turning your pond a nice shade of green. Make sure there is nothing left behind. If there is food leftover then reduce the amount the next time and try again.
What algae is in pond water?
These single celled algae will turn your water green in a matter of days if left unchecked.
What happens when a pond matures?
As you pond matures a small bit there may be a build-up of fish waste, dead leaves, and other debris that has fallen into your pond. The pond water itself might be ok but its the waste that feeds the algae and turns the water green.
What is the rule for laying a golf ball in water?
A ball laying in a water hazard may be difficult to locate. Rule 12-1c permits the player to place her club in the water to feel around for a ball.
What is a golf ball that hits into water?
A ball landing in the water is a sad sight for any golfer. A water hazard on a golf course is typically a pond or small lake, but may be as large as part of an ocean or as small as a drainage ditch. Regardless of size, however, hitting the ball into a water hazard will almost always prove costly.
What happens if a ball hangs over a water hazard?
Therefore, if any part of the ball hangs over a water hazard, the ball is considered to be in the hazard, and the water hazard rules apply. But if, for example, half the ball sits in the rough, and the other have hangs over a water hazard, the player may ground his club in the rough, pursuant to Decision 13-4/29.
Can a golfer touch water?
The golfer is permitted to touch the water when she addresses the ball, but she may not ground her club while doing so. The penalty for violating the rule is the loss of the hole in match play or a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play.
Can you hit out of a water hazard?
A player doing so frequently plays a second ball from the location of the original shot, or takes a drop out of the water hazard pursuant to Rule 26 of the standard Rules of Golf, incurring a 1-stroke penalty in either case. Occasionally a player may attempt to hit out of a water hazard, but he must be mindful of how to do so legally.
Can you hit a moving ball in a water hazard?
Moving Ball. One thing a golfer may do in a water hazard that he can’t do elsewhere is hit a moving ball. Under Rule 14-6 the player can attempt to hit a moving ball within a water hazard, provided he doesn’t delay to allow the water to move the ball to a better position. Sorry, the video player failed to load.

Aesthetics and Playability
Irrigation
- It is common for at least one of the lakes or ponds on a course to act as a reservoir for the irrigation system. Due to this, the construction and positioning will have special requirements. First, maximize the size of the lake to enhance its storage capacity. The bigger the better because the water is an emergency storage for your course. Keep in mind that water can only be lowered …
Drainage
- By placing the lake or pond in the lowest elevation, you maximize the amount of drainage that can reach it. Therefore, you are capturing and recycling as much rainfall as possible. With drainage comes risk of water quality. Despite superintendents’ excellent safety record with water quality, contamination due to fertilizer, pesticides, and other chemicals, are a threat. This is such a conc…
Safety
- Once we have the lakes positioned, our focus turns to the specifics of their design and construction. Among our major concerns are water tightness, water quality and, perhaps most importantly, safety. Golf course ponds are often referred to as “attractive nuisances” for the simple reason that they may lure people to a potentially dangerous situation. Accordingly, we m…
Water Quality
- Water quality is also a major concern, and Rick McGuire of Waterscapers reports that it is in large part related to the quantity of oxygen and nutrients in the lake. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are food for algae and, consequently, their presence in large quantities almost ensures the algae blooms that superintendents frequently battle. Our strategy for controlling th…
Water Conservation
- As water becomes a more precious commodity, its conservation will become an increasingly important issue as well. To conserve water in golf course lakes, it’s typical to line them with an impervious membrane to prevent leaking. PVC liners have been the material of choice for the lake industry. This material is relatively inexpensive, easy to instal...