RFI on pre-formed pond liners

[sometimes]

I have an opportunity (at the moment) to consider putting a pond in the garden, as I will have a quanity of subsoil/soil from building a soakaway. At the moment I'm considering something that will be partly raised, with the soil around it sloping away to a lawn/hedge/flower border. It's primarly purpose will be to support local wildlife (ie not a fishpond) - (though I'm not keen on the thought of mossies). I am keen on having some areas of very shallow water, for birds/mammals to bathe/drink. I presume I will need an area within the pond that is quite deep to provide some chance of none frozen water for any amphibians that might find their way in. Anyway, to cut to the chase, does anyone know of a preformed pond manufacturer who provides ponds with a very shallow area - maybe a tapering off to nothing? I've seen plenty of ponds with 'shallows' but they're too deep for my purposes (ultimately I'll be using it for photographing visitors.
Thanks - At this stage, the shallow bit is the only thing I'm concerned about -the technicals of putting a good pond together can come later.

[Blackdogjnr]

At the risk of being a drag, I really do think the best way to get the depth you want is to dig it and line it with butyl to your customised shape and size.

In short, the plastic moulds really aren't manufactured with wildlife ponds in mind....

I find that another way to make deeper areas safe (for hedgehogs etc) is to create a large-pebble bank by gently piling them up against the side. This is a great place for tadpoles to hide too!

Don't worry about mozzies, we don't get them and even if you did, maybe a bat will come to feed on them

[Kayleigh]

Im with BDjr on this the only way you will get the shape you are after is a liner..butyl is the best.
Like BD says don't worry about the mozzies something will find them tasty I have a natural pond and never had a problem with mozzies.

[sometimes]

Thanks for the advice, Blackdogjnr and Kayleigh.
There are a number of issues around the method of construction which favour a pre-made pond (though I fully appreciate the advantages of a butyl).

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

I find that another way to make deeper areas safe (for hedgehogs etc) is to create a large-pebble bank by gently piling them up against the side. This is a great place for tadpoles to hide too!

For some reason this obvious solution didn't occur to me - doh!
A 'pebble beach' may also go some way to placating certain reservations of having a pond at all from certain quarters with the marital environment.

[Tursiops2]

Hi sometimes.

I agree that, generally, butyl is infinitely preferable to a pre-formed liner for the given reasons. However, I think it should be possible to improve a pond built in that way for wildlife; simply fill in one end with clean sand or pea-gravel to create a shallow slope down into the water, into which you can plant emergent and marginal plants.

I'm expecting to have the chance to experiment with this myself soon.
T2

[Kayleigh]

My friend has a preformed pond and has plants in pots that come level with the surface so allows easy access..