Cortney L. Ohs, Ph.D.

Aquaculture PondsAquaculture Ponds

TopicsTopics• Site Considerations

– Water– Soil– Topography– Types of ponds– Cost

• Construction of ponds– Levee ponds– Watershed ponds– Lined ponds

Water

• Availability– 25 gallons per minute

per acre

• Source– Wells– Springs– Streams

• Pesticides– TEST Water!!

• Alkalinity– 80 ppm minimum

Soil

• Clay Content–Take samples at various locations.

• Water Table

• Wet soils aren't best!

• Pesticides–TEST Soil!!

Topography

• Slope–2-10% best

• Flooding–Do not build on floodplain!

Levee Pond ConstructionLevee Pond Construction

• Freeboard and Depth–1-2 feet freeboard–3 feet in shallow and–6 feet in drain end

• Slope of Levees–3: 1 minimum–4: 1 maximum

Levee Pond ConstructionLevee Pond Construction

• Size – Larger ponds are cheaper per acre– 1-10 acres for new farmers

• Shape– 10 acre square

• requires 2,569 linear feet– 10 acre rectangular

• requires 2,729 linear feet

• Levee width– 20 ft for main– 16 ft for others

Levee PicturesLevee Pictures

Photos by Cortney Ohs

Levee Pond ConstructionLevee Pond Construction

Photos by Cortney Ohs

Newly Constructed PondNewly Constructed Pond

Photo by Cortney Ohs

Levee Ponds - CatfishLevee Ponds - Catfish

Photos by Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture

Levee Ponds - ShrimpLevee Ponds - Shrimp

Photos by Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture

Small Research PondSmall Research Pond

Photo by Cortney Ohs

Graveled vs. Not Graveled LeveesGraveled vs. Not Graveled Levees

Photos by Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture

OrientationOrientation

• Right angle to prevailing winds reduces levee erosion

• Parallel increases wind action action and aeration

• Site Preparation and Construction–Remove vegetation and topsoil.–Compaction is critical

Pond Drains

• Typically 6 inch pipe is sufficient for ponds less than 10 acres

• If ponds must be drained to harvest (shrimp) then use one 10 inch per acre of water

• PVC pipe

• Use anti-seep sleeve around pipe deep in levee

Pond Stand PipesPond Stand Pipes

External Internal with swivel jointExternal Internal with swivel joint

Photos by Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture

Water InletsWater Inlets

• Water source pipes should have control valves on them

• May be designed to flow into adjacent ponds

Photo by Cortney Ohs

ElectricityElectricity

• Electrical source for each pond

Lined PondsLined Ponds

Photo by Cortney Ohs

Watershed PondsWatershed Ponds

• Watershed is containment free

• Depth is a function of topography

• Requires 5-7 acres of watershed per acre of water

• Must have emergency spillway