Excavated ponds are made by digging either the pond itself or the surrounding area to form levees. Ponds of this type are recommended and easily constructed, particularly in areas of flat topography. Return to Table of Contents Selecting the Pond Site Selection of the pond site is one of the most important steps in construction. Before making the final site selection, one should examine all potential sites considering economics, accessibility and safety. Economically speaking, construct a pond that provides the largest volume of water with the least amount of landfill.
Liability is a final consideration.
The pond owner is normally held liable for downstream flooding and related damages caused by dam failure. Level topography will minimize the need for costly soil removal. In most instances, the maximum height of a dam should be 20 to 25 feet. Dams higher than this are expensive to build and frequently stratify in summer resulting in deep water areas unsuitable for aquatic life. Dams in Virginia should be high enough to provide a minimum depth of six feet year-round.