permaculture

["John Abdon" <jabdon@hotmail.com>]

Ponds occur everywhere on this planet where water is found in liquid form at
some time of the year. The difference between most contemporary designs and
naturally occurring ponds seems to have something to do with desire: natural
ponds dry up, usually rather quickly, and too often our implementations push
the 'wetness' envelope beyond the tolerance of various guild members
(microbial in particular).

Anyone is interested in extreme desert pond and oasis design,
implementation, and various consequences? I have first hand experience in
the creation of a number of rather large 'ponds'. Most of this was in and
around Arabia's Rub` al Khali, 1981 to 1989.

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      (@@)            johnAbdon  jabdon@hotmail.com
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----- Original Message -----
From: April Sampson-Kelly <askpv@ozemail.com.au>
To: permaculture <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 5:29 PM
Subject: RE: Pond construction ideas needed (for FranksFarm)


> my major concerns from my pond experiences are:
> 1. an allowance for flood (the overflow must be well designed
> 2. not to alter the natural flow of a water system (the daming of creeks
> here have
> proven to destroy habitat for native species such as our tortoises and
> platypus)
> so, i would build a small barrier that caught only large downpours and
> allowed the continued flow through of daily or weekly rains.
> 3. trouble with our farmed ducks and wild yabbies destroying the water
> quality and seal.
> our ducks are only suitable for the spring fed pond, they seem to have the
> instinct to excete as soon as they get wet.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Lawrence F. London, Jr. [mailto:london@metalab.unc.edu]
> > Sent: Monday, 2 August 1999 1:16
> > To: permaculture
> > Subject: Pond construction ideas needed (for FranksFarm)
> >
> >
> >
> > Lawrence F. London, Jr. -+|+- Venaura Farm
> > london@metalab.unc.edu   lflondon@worldnet.att.net
> > http://metalab.unc.edu/london, /permaculture, /ecolandtech
> > EcoLandTech -+|+- InterGarden -+|+- Permaculture
> > -
> > Frank asked for ideas on pond building. Maybe we can start a thread on
> > this, if anyone is interested. My feedback is below.
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 22:48:22 -0400 (EDT)
> > From: FranksFarm@aol.com
> > > In center of pond area is small elevated island with a few
> > trees that I'd
> > > like to keep. How do you suggest we build this pond for wildlife,
native
> > > plantings, irrigation etc.?
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ---------
> > 1) Get a copy of Mollison's A Designer's Manual
> > 2) The pond's edge should be crenelated, i.e. undulating, zigzag,
> > ragged, ["lobular embayments" is a term Mollison uses on P.78 of DM]
> > rather than a smooth continous curve. See pps. 481-483 of DM on
> > "pond configuration and edge effects".
> > 3) Where runoff runs into pond construct a slightly graduated slope with
> > different sized pebbles, rocks, gravel, sand - this could become an
> > area where shellfish could breed - though usually flowing water is
> > necessary - just a thought - maybe divert flow from a creek in and out
of
> > the pond
> > 4) Construct shallow, boggy, swampy areas for breeding grounds for
aquatic
> > creatures - plant reeds, cattails and other shallow water aquatic plants
> > there (will provide cover for wildlife)
> > 5) Make sure you construct areas where the water is shallow to semi
> > shallow with rocks, sandbars, etc. for turtles and amphibians, esp.
frogs
> > 6) You want to be sure you have fertile ground at water's edge - so
you'll
> > get lush plant growth, weeds, plantings, etc. This is essential for
> > wildlife feeding, breeding and cover, and shade in summer and erosion
> > control, and nutrient catchment and filtering
> >
> > LL
> >
> > 'Every day the intelligent person learns something new, but every day
> > the wise person gives up some certainty'    The Buddha.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
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> >
> >
>
>
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