Pond Building and Preparation Geoff Wallat Ohio State University South Centers - Piketon

Site Selection  New Location or Existing Location Leave room in either case for future expansion Leave room in either case for future expansion  Cost of land  Determine water source and soil type (heavy clay ideal)  Near farm land? Pesticides and Wind drift

Site Selection  Neighboring Properties Agricultural runoff / Urban / Residential Agricultural runoff / Urban / Residential Natural water bodies Natural water bodies  Access to site Roadways, electrical, house on property Roadways, electrical, house on property  Water reuse and retention (Step Design)

Site Selection - Soils  Soil Type and Quality Permeable (sand) to non-permeable (clay) Permeable (sand) to non-permeable (clay) Soil and Water Conservation District office can tell you soil type(s) Soil and Water Conservation District office can tell you soil type(s)  Test pH and Alkalinity Metals (?) Metals (?) Pesticides and Residuals – Shrimp more sensitive than fish Pesticides and Residuals – Shrimp more sensitive than fish Spectrum Analytical Inc. – Washington Court House (This is not an endorsement of company)

Site Selection - Water  Water Source Type and Quality Well or Spring best - Flow rate and Clean Well or Spring best - Flow rate and Clean Watershed or Runoff water? Watershed or Runoff water? Creek or stream – least favorable, SCREEN IT! Creek or stream – least favorable, SCREEN IT! Quality: Test pH, Alkalinity, Metals (?) Quality: Test pH, Alkalinity, Metals (?)

Use an Existing Pond?  Not recommended in most cases  Why? Farm / recreational ponds are too deep Farm / recreational ponds are too deep Uneven circulation / mixing of water Uneven circulation / mixing of water Bottoms uneven, difficult to drain completely, trapping shrimp Bottoms uneven, difficult to drain completely, trapping shrimp Other aquatic species present – prey on shrimp Other aquatic species present – prey on shrimp  If this is all you have, we’ll make due!  Can be used as water source for new ponds

Construction  Moving soil Contractor cost v. “Do-it-Yourself” Contractor cost v. “Do-it-Yourself” Depth of ponds = cubic yards moved = $$ Depth of ponds = cubic yards moved = $$ Size and Number of ponds Size and Number of ponds  Moving water in and out of ponds Pumping equipment and piping Pumping equipment and piping Drainage piping Drainage piping Water storage ponds Water storage ponds

Considerations Levee pond v. farm pond construction  Scrape off and remove topsoil  Add clay (min 20%) if needed  Sides slope of 3:1 or 2:1 for algae control  Depth of Pond Single Use (Shrimp) 4 foot deep end Single Use (Shrimp) 4 foot deep end Multi- Use 6 to 8 foot deep end Multi- Use 6 to 8 foot deep end for over-wintering

Levee Slope 2:1 or 3:1 -- Every 2 feet out, drop 1 foot Algae Control – Shallow edges warmer

Catch Basins

Nathan Hogue – Cliff’s Pay Lakes – Scioto County

External Catch Basin Polly Creech Athens County

Drainage External or Internal L.Swann - AquaNIC

Anti -Seep Collar on Drain Pipes Anti Seep Collars No Seep Collars RESULT

Levee Ponds  Well Packed (Sheep’s-Foot) – no leaks  Must dig a Key Trench for Levee (prevent leakage and sliding)

Sheep’s Foot (Feet?) GOODBETTER !

Equipment Pan Scraper

Key Trench for Levee

Key Trench for Levee & Anti-Seep Collar around Drain Pipe

A Levee Pond Construction Estimate  Contractors’ price $ $1.75 / cu yd.  1 acre pond, 2:1 slope, Moved 4,800 cu. yd. $1.75 = $8,400 per 1 acre pond  Plan for $10,000 per acre  Plan on same for smaller pond

Equipment and Supplies  Aeration – Critical in shrimp production Power source Power source Aeration equipment Aeration equipment  Substrate additions  Harvesting Access for supply trucks, hauling trucks, etc. Access for supply trucks, hauling trucks, etc. Seine nets, dip nets, holding containers, holding ponds Seine nets, dip nets, holding containers, holding ponds

Aspirator Agitator and Fountain Paddlewheel

Substrate

Other Cost Considerations  Excavation – more or less $$ ?  Southern Ohio - Appl. Foothills  Site addition or removal of topsoil / clay  Seeding pond banks – erosion control  Water Source – Well is best, adds cost Several are using watershed approach Several are using watershed approach

Alternative Water Source

Economics  Initial Investments Land Land Water and Electrical supply Water and Electrical supply Construction costs Construction costs Equipment and Supplies Equipment and Supplies Labor Labor Storage Building / Other Buildings Storage Building / Other Buildings

Economics  Operating costs Electricity Electricity Feed Feed Labor Labor Maintenance and Upkeep Maintenance and Upkeep Scrape and re-pack the pond every yearsScrape and re-pack the pond every years Grounds-keepingGrounds-keeping “Invasive” Species – Muskrats, snakes, turtles, birds, as well as other aquatics“Invasive” Species – Muskrats, snakes, turtles, birds, as well as other aquatics