As I mentioned in a previous post, we are attempting to be as self-sufficient out here on the homestead as possible. One step that we have taken these past two years to be more self-sufficient is we have built 8 ponds on the farm. Our main farm when we purchased it only had one little spring on it that was about 4 feet round and 2 feet deep. It always has crystal clear water and flows year round but in order to water over 200 head of cattle and 100 goats we needed more water.
We attempted to drill a well three time and even with the help of a geologist could not find water. The next best thing was to get a bull dozer and dam up some valleys to create some ponds for watering the livestock and also for wildlife.
It took 2 years but we now have 8 beautiful ponds on the farm. Each one is unique not one of them is the same. The idea was that we have a lot of hills and valleys here on our farm, so we would go down the valley a ways and then make about a 10 to 15 foot dam to trap the water. This gives us about an 8 to 13 foot deep pond. It has worked amazing. We have clay soil so it is perfect for a water tight dam.
We do not allow the cattle to have free access to the ponds. Otherwise they would walk up to their bellies and just soak in them on a hot day or even a warm day. It is not that we do not want our cows to be able to cool off, the problem is they go the bathroom and eventually will contaminate the water supply. The solution is that we use hot wire (electric fence) to only allow them access to a piece of the pond at a time. Usually about a 10 foot by 3 foot area. This allows them to drink but not stand in the ponds. Goats really do not like to get wet so they are not a problem.
Since we have made the ponds we now have Canadian and Snow geese stop by the farm and nest. We also have all kinds of ducks. We love adding wildlife to the farm so they ponds have been a great addition.
They took a lot of time and work but I recommend ponds. Not only are they free water for livestock but they are countless hours of fun for the kids. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read our blog. Have a wonderful day.
The more you post about your farm, the more I am falling in love with this place. Question: Can kids swim in the ponds, and how long does the water last (meaning in the summer do the ponds dry completely?)
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Yes the kids love to swim in them. All but one has kept it water year round. In the middle of summer that might go down a few inches but not to much. Thanks for commenting and stopping by
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Be careful about doing that. The EPA could come down hard on you. People have lost everything for less. Especially, if another commie like Obama gets elected #POTUS.
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Looking good Sir! Using what God provides always seems like the way to go! Since it rains on your property anyways you might as well capture some of it!
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Fantastic! So they keep water all year long?
When I lived in Oklahoma, we had a pond on our property. It was full of fish. I had "pet bass" I could catch every day. He was about 2 lbs. I would bring guest preachers out to have a go at him.
One day a family dropped by with their grandma in the car. She said that when she was a little girl her family would stop at the pond on our property on their way to town to swim and clean up.
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Yes they keep water year round. That is a great story about your pond. Ponds are a lot of fun
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About the only thing I miss about Oklahoma is the property we had. There was a zip line across the pond when we first moved in. My boys were in their very early teens and wanted to use it. My youngest, the more daring of the two, was the first to give it a go. His mom and me were on the other side of the pond, at the end of the line. Just as he took off, it occurred to me that if he did not let go over the water, he was going to hit the lower tree full throttle. I was about to tell him not to go when he took off. Not to worry about letting go. The handle on the zipline broke and he went head first through the berrybushes and bramble on the bank on the other side of the pond. Mom and I ran over to check on him. He was torn up head to toe and crying his head off but his first words were, "Do I get to go again?" I dismantled the zipline immediately!
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That's a great story!!!
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I think that is a great idea! You guys have such a beautiful property!
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Thank you sir!
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You have a beautiful farm. While growing up we did a lot of deer hunting in North Carolina and South Carolina. Even did some hunting out West. Water was the most important, for both the livestock and wildlife. Nothing can survive without it.
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I agree. It is amazing how much wildlife uses the ponds. I was pleasantly surprised.
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Beautiful farm. I have some ponds I need to start on. I don't have a dozer but I have a mini-excavator that I think will work. Thanks for sharing.
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Mini excavator should do the trick.
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That would be so awesome to have. We have thought about putting one on our land it’s just really flat where we are. Great work!
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Right on! Have you considered stocking any of them with fish for an added protein source? That is my plan for the property.
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Yes, that is another post to come. We have been trapping fish from ponds up the road and stocking them in our ponds. Great minds think alike ;)
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Cool! I can't wait to hear more about it! I would like to integrate a solar pump system into mine to irrigate/fertilize the garden; similar to the aquaponic systems.
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That sounds awesome
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Since post, how you figured out how much water you have on hand when all the ponds are full? Maybe a source for irrigation of your land if you have a dry spell and keep some pastures green.
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Most definitely. I never took the time to figure how much water they hold. Would be good thing to know though
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Nice sustainable way to maintain water for the animals and the family! win/win situation.
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