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Wildlife friendly pond - can they overflow in heavy rain

hmonday66hmonday66 Posts: 12
in Wildlife gardening
I need a bit of advice.  I am having a 2.5 x 2.5m wildlife friendly pond created but am a little worried about whether it is likely to overflow with heavy rain.  My landscaper has said it will be fine but I have read many articles that state they can overflow and I wouldn't want all my planting around and nearby the pond washed away.  Has anyone ever had a problem with this.

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,051
    it might "overflow" but not enough to " wash away " anything. 
    The surrounding area might be a bit wet for a while that's all. 
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,081
    No - it isn't a problem. Usually, it's the norm to have one section of a wildlife pond at the lowest point, and any excess water would simply drain out there.  :)
    It would have to very serious excess for planting to be affected. Most people like to have a section at  the lowest end to use as a bog garden, which needs a bit of liner with drainage holes.
    Not necessary of course, but any excess water will just filter into the surroundings of most ponds. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,685
    I spend more time topping it up because of evaporation.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,051
    fidgetbones said:
    I spend more time topping it up because of evaporation.
    the hose is running into mine as we speak
    Devon.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,393
    We have an outlet pipe draining to a ditch.  It's needed a few times per year.  It depends really on your situation and location.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • hmonday66hmonday66 Posts: 12
    I did think of an outlet pipe but the whole area where the pond will be sited will be surrounded by planting.  Landscaper has said an area of the pond will also need to be 1m deep due to being sited in the sun otherwise I will have huge amounts of algae
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    edited May 2022
    A lot of oxygenating plants covering the majority of the pond surface will help with the algae. Tall plants around the edge to cover will help too, to offer some shade 
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