Building large school pond

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by ilia123

....However I would still like a waterfall as all my wildlife ponds were too small to contain it and I guess if I pick a less powerful pump....

Just a word of caution if you intend using mains voltage electricity to supply your pump etc. The installation will need to comply with British Standard 7671. There are several potential (potentially fatal ) pitfalls for the unwary.

I suggest that you leave the entire electrical installation to be sorted out by the school, who will have the proper procedures in place for employing a qualified electrician.

You can't be too careful with electricity, and the school will have to be seen to be in compliance for insurance/liability & duty of care etc.

Good luck with the project.
Mike.

[diggleken]

ilia, some great advice in this thread, just three additional thoughts from me -
leave for a few days if you fill with tap water to stabilise any chemicals etc.
keep it away from trees as far as you reasonably can, but also in some shade (a balancing act!)to keep out too much leaf fall and to try and avoid algal bloom in the sun.
As you want a wildlife pond, you'll find it will colonize itself, but better still and quicker for the kids to get some good gloopy mud from a wildlife rich pond and just chuck it in and watch things appear!
Ken

[coasty]

Sounds like an interesting project.

Also remember that what you dig out if placed around the edge of the pond will create additional depth. and will save you effort in carting it away.

Also a few practical points, Try and check if there are buried services or drains under your planned site . You dont want to get it half dug and find a service main underneath it . If you contact your school caretaker he should know positions of services and If you take up any nearby manhole lids you should be able to work out drain runs. Remember although services should be minimum 600 dp often they are much shallower.
Try and borrow a Cat Scan from your local plant hire company if you tell them what its for the may loan for free, and get them to show you how to use it. It will help to identify buried services. Trust me around schools pipes and wires are buried everywhere.

As regards digging rate a fit building labourer will dig out a cubic metre in about 3 to 4 hours...

[dampflippers]

You also need to think about how it will be used.
Will you have a whole class out at a time pond dipping? If so you will need places for them to stand where they won't damage your planting or liner.
At some point it is useful to be able to look down into a fairly deep part.
You'll need somewhere that they can put their trays to empty their nets too.
And it will need to be fenced off securely for safety reasons- either from the general public if the school grounds are open, or for safety in case a pupil falls in out of sight. If it's open you will have to have a playground attendant in view at playtimes and home time.
Good luck with it!