Water Quantity and Conservation #1 Use land according to its capability and treat it according to its needs  Use management to gain the most agricultural benefit from precipitation and shallow groundwater  Improve water use efficiency  Keep runoff clean  Capture runoff and use it on the farm

Farmers, Consultants and Partners #1  NRCS wants the opportunity to assist you in development of a conservation plan that adds value to your land.  Why is NRCS ability to assist you with pond development limited to a preliminary site assessment? Time- people w/ pond experience, broader mission Time- people w/ pond experience, broader mission Money- program funds targeted, demand v. supply Money- program funds targeted, demand v. supply Red tape- the federal compliance burden Red tape- the federal compliance burden

Farmers, Consultants and Partners #2  This process is for ag. water supply ponds- irrigation, stock watering, wash water and cooling water.  Do you need to use this process?  NRCS workload priorities might be directed elsewhere when you request assistance. “ I won’t be able to assist you right now, but I’d like to get some information about your needs and if time becomes available we’ll get in contact with you.”

NRCS and District folks- #1  Are we getting back into the pond business?  Is this the only training I’m going to get?  Please don’t over-think this assessment Off-site evaluation Off-site evaluation No lay-out No lay-out No design No design

NRCS and District folks- #2  Use pond interest to engage in on-farm planning. “Can I get you to go on site to look at my place?”  Prelim. Site Assessment “pre-planning service” evaluate candidate site’s natural resources for capability of land to support pond development evaluate candidate site’s natural resources for capability of land to support pond development explain potential regulatory issues explain potential regulatory issues enable early identification of problems with a proposed site that can be changed or solved because the idea is still being developed enable early identification of problems with a proposed site that can be changed or solved because the idea is still being developed help farmer’s develop ponds they need help farmer’s develop ponds they need will save farmer’s time in the overall process by ensuring practical alternatives, site limitations and regulatory issues are considered before large investments of time or money are made will save farmer’s time in the overall process by ensuring practical alternatives, site limitations and regulatory issues are considered before large investments of time or money are made

Not all sites are good candidates:  Soils and geology can cause limitations  Size of drainage area  Flood hazards  Unique cultural or environmental features Ratio of drainage area to pond surface area affects water level  At least 10:1. Not more than 30:1. Mid-range is ideal. Good soil conservation in the drainage area is important Rules of Thumb #1

Rules of Thumb #2 Irrigation storage:  at least 1.3 to 1.5 acre-feet of storage per acre irrigated Evaporation and seepage losses:  2.5 to 4 ft. per irrigation season Beef cattle require at least gallons per animal per day.  Pond may not be best alternative for livestock water supply. NRCS has published technical references that can be used to support planning and design:  National Eng. Handbook, Ponds and Reservoirs  NC Irrigation Guide  Conservation Practice Standard: Pond (378)

Use ArcMap Navigate toArea of Potential Pond Site

Determine Firmpanel ID #: Downloading Bare Earth LIDAR Data

Define Area of Interest

Bare Earth Data Converted to Tin

Tin Converted to 5ft Contours

Tin Converted to 1ft Contours

Look Downstream What Hazards are Observed? Measure the Distance to Any Downstream Hazards Create.pdfs to Attach to Assessment Showing Potential Hazards

Following General Guidelines Referenced in USDA: Ponds – Planning, Design, and Construction

Assume 3:1 – Outside Toe Assume 3:1 – Inside Toe 94 ft

Using Soil Data Viewer ArcMap or Toolkit Environment

Use the NC Floodplain Mapping Program Stream Data to Determine if a Blue Line Stream Exists

Calculate Feet of Stream Inundated by Pond Length of NCFPMP Stream Inside Pond MINUS Length of Inside Toe 631 ft – 94 ft= 537 ft

Does the potential pond area fall within the boundaries of the property owned by the person?