Unless you dug your pond yourself, there is no way to know what fluctuations exist along the floor. Ponds are three-dimensional ecosystems that change over time, so becoming familiar with the underwater landscape is essential.
Understanding your pond’s depth helps guide treatment dosages, fish stocking, and fountain and aeration system selection. Measuring pond depth is straightforward once you have the necessary tools. Follow along to learn how:
How to Measure Pond Depth
Gather the following tools:
- Tape measure
- String or chain
- Weight
- Notepad
- Writing utensil
- Boat or raft
- Using your tape measure, mark a chain or knot a string in one-foot intervals and securely attach the weight to one end.
- Climb aboard your boat or raft with your weighted chain or string and note-taking materials in hand.
- Once in the middle of the pond, drop the weight into the water and record where you feel it hit the bottom.
- Repeat your measurements for at least four other areas within the pond, doing more if the pond is huge.
- When you have a good sampling of your pond's depth, note the maximum depth and calculate the average of all the measurements you took.
Depth and Aeration
You may have noticed that the maximum pond size a subsurface system can aerate varies based on the pond depth. The deeper a diffuser plate is submerged, the more area it can effectively aerate.
When oxygen bubbles leave the diffuser plate, they grow wider as they rise in a V-shaped pattern. More height allows air to circulate through a greater volume of water. In shallow ponds, the column of diffused air cannot open as far, limiting the effective area of each plate and creating the need for more diffuser plates.
Finding the Right Fit
Depth, size, and shape should all be considered when determining which pond aeration system best suits your needs. To help narrow your selection, consider which system will work with your pond's depth.
Airmax Aeration Systems: Offered in four series, these reliable aeration systems can aerate a pond up to six acres and 50 feet deep.
- Shallow Water Series: The SW20 and SW40 are designed for ponds up to six feet deep and have two or four diffuser plates. These energy-efficient systems feature dual-diaphragm compressors.
- PondSeries: Available with one to six diffuser plates, these systems use rocking piston compressors that can be used in ponds up to 50 feet deep.
- LakeSeries: These systems are powerful enough to aerate ponds up to 12 acres and up to 50 feet deep with a single system, yet customizable to fit any unique waterbody. They contain two rocking piston compressors in one cabinet and 4 – 12 diffuser plates.
- SolarSeries: An alternative energy option if you do not have power within 1,000 feet of the pond or want to save on operating costs. Solar-powered aeration systems can aerate ponds up to 20 feet deep and support up to four diffusers.
Windmill Aeration Systems: Great for supplementing fountain and surface aeration systems, especially in remote, off-grid ponds. Wind-powered aeration systems can be used in ponds up to 15 feet deep.
Decorative Fountains: Fountains can also be used for aeration during the warmer seasons. However, the effectiveness is limited to six feet deep because the motor sits at the pond's surface.
Surface Aeration: Similar to fountains, these systems have a limited capacity for aerating. If your pond is less than six feet deep and you would like to see a lower profile of water movement than what a fountain can offer, then these are the systems for you.
Still Need Help?
Do you have your depth measured but still do not know what system you need? We are here to help! Call us at 866-766-3435 and ask about our FREE Pond Profile Service. An Aeration Expert will map your pond and design the ideal aeration system layout.
Keep reading the top tips and advice for pond and lake aeration below:
How to Measure a Pond for Aeration Sizing
Why Aerate My Pond
Alternative Energy Pond Aeration Options
Is Your Pond Properly Aerated?
Can You Over Aerate a Pond?
Last Updated: May 28, 2024