HELP! How do I build a raised pond

[lee2dart]

We are looking to build a raised pond which we would like to have fish and wildlife in.
Can anybody give us advice on what would be the ideal way to build it?

Our first thoughts were to build it out of bricks about 3 feet high but wondered if there were any alternatives.

Thanks
Lee

[Jeremy Biggs]

Hi Lee

This isn't simply a gratuitous plug - but, if you've not already seen it, you might find some of the advice on making clean water ponds that we produce at Pond Conservation useful.

Have a look at this blog post, and also the summary leaflet on our website.

How to make a really good wildlife pond (3): the pictures The Garden Pond Blog

http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/N..._1July2009.pdf

Making a clean water pond will contibute to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan target for high quality wildlife ponds; it'll also mean you have less management problems with filamentous algae, duckweed and green soupy water.

Best wishes

Jeremy Biggs

[Kayleigh]

Hi lee2dart and welcome to WAB.....

You can make a raised pond of stone, brick or wood it really depends on what your looking for.
You can buy hexagonal fish ponds but raised ponds are not ideal for wildlife as getting in and out can be a problem..

[acherontia]

Further to Kayleighs suggestion about wildlife having problems with a raised pond rather than one with easy access and egress points - can I point out that fish/wildlife don't sit happily together - especially if they're not wildlife pond sort of fish.

Have a read of that link Jeremy put on - it'll explain lots and give you some good ideas. I'd suggest having one section at least a metre deep to shelter creatures from frost.
Is there any particular reason why it would have to be raised? Apart from the obvious labour of digging out. It nearly killed me last year digging ours - but the effort was well worth it for the wildlife it attracts. Besides the frogs/toads/newts/larvae etc the birds love it for bathing,de-bugging and drinking - some are also quite partial to tadpoles too

Acher

[Fieldfare95]

My granddad built a raised pond out of old railway sleepers. Its a very simple idea but works well and looks good.

[RobinP]

Old telegraph poles will also do the trick, though you have to remove all the clutter first. They cut up easily though, even with a hand saw.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by RobinP

Old telegraph poles will also do the trick, though you have to remove all the clutter first. They cut up easily though, even with a hand saw.

Just a reminder if using these or sleepers watch for tar seepage into the water as this will kill any life and poison the water.

[Malcolm Banks]

Kayleigh is right about the tar in old sleepers and telegraph posts. You can buy new sleepers that are not treated from some garden centres, I have two fixed together forming an overhanging viewing platform on my pond, and this gets soaked when the level rises, but doesn't appear to kill plants, verts or inverts. They are not cheap mind.

[RobinP]

Sorry, forgot about the tar I made a raised vegetable patch out of old telegraph poles and on a warm day the tar is really noticeable. Use a good quality pond liner if you're using sleepers/poles.