Irrigation ponds play an important role in managing water resources, delivering a consistent supply for crops and livestock, and serving as a buffer during periods of drought. 

But an irrigation pond is more than just a hole in the ground. A good pond needs a good plan. Here are some things to consider when building your pond.

What is an Irrigation Pond?
An irrigation pond is a water body created to support agricultural activities. It’s placed to capture and hold water from a water source, such as rainfall, streams, or irrigation runoff. The primary function of these ponds is to provide a reliable water supply for farming operations, especially in places where water is scarce. 

Uses of an Irrigation Pond
Irrigation ponds serve multiple functions, making them versatile assets on a farm. Their primary uses include:

Water Supply for Crops: An irrigation pond ensures that crops receive a consistent supply of water, essential for growth and productivity. This is particularly beneficial during periods of drought or when rainfall is insufficient.
Livestock Watering: For farmers who raise animals, irrigation ponds provide a reliable source of drinking water for livestock. This can be particularly important during hot, dry periods when other water sources may be limited.
Reservoir for Drought: Irrigation ponds act as reservoirs, storing water during times of abundance (like during the rainy season) and making it available during dry periods. This helps to buffer against the effects of drought, protecting crops and livestock from water shortages.
Determining the Size of Your Pond
Determining the correct size of your irrigation pond is key to meeting your water needs effectively. Several factors influence the size, including the type and number of crops, the size of the area to be irrigated, and the average rainfall and evaporation rates in your region.

Some rules of thumb:  

Water Requirement Calculation: Estimate the total water requirement for your crops and livestock. For instance, one acre of corn typically requires about 600,000 gallons of water during the growing season.
Surface Area and Depth: A larger surface area allows for more water collection from rainfall, while a greater depth reduces evaporation losses.  A depth of 10-15 feet is common for irrigation ponds to balance storage capacity and minimize evaporation. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one acre-foot of water storage for every acre of irrigated land. An acre-foot is approximately 325,851 gallons. 
Safety Margins: Include a safety margin in your calculations to account for periods of lower-than-average rainfall and higher evaporation rates.
How to Fill Your Irrigation Pond
You can fill your irrigation pond can be through several methods, each with its own advantages:

Rainfall: Placing your pond in a low-lying area where rainwater naturally accumulates is an efficient way to collect water. You can also create diversion channels to direct rainwater runoff into the pond.
Streams and Rivers: If your property has access to a stream or river, you can use these sources to fill your pond. This may require the installation of pumps and pipelines to transport the water, and you should be aware of any legal regulations regarding water extraction from natural sources.
Irrigation Runoff: Capturing runoff from existing irrigation systems can help fill your pond. This method not only conserves water but also prevents erosion and nutrient loss from your fields.
Components of an Irrigation Pond
A well-designed pond will have one or more of the following features:

Pond Liner: A pond liner is essential to prevent water seepage. Liners are often made of materials like bentonite clay or geosynthetic materials like reinforced polyethylene(RPE) and reinforced polypropylene (RPP). RPE and RPP liners have important advantages for irrigation ponds. We frequently recommend our Aqua 24 RPE liners for irrigation ponds.

Silt Traps: Silt traps are necessary to prevent sediment from

Farm ponds are small tank or reservoir-like constructions, built for the purpose of storing the surface runoff, generated from the catchment area. Farm ponds are water harvesting structures that meet many farm needs, viz. supply of water for irrigation, cattle feed, fish farming, etc.

While farm ponds have often been depicted as magic wands to deal with water scarcity, experiences in Maharashtra show otherwise.

Farm ponds, often touted as magic wands to tackle water scarcity, have raised a number of concerns (Image Source: Ninad Sargar)

The main problem with farm ponds is their depiction as a magic wand for water scarcity by the media and the government. We now know how the main objective is not fulfilled due to faulty design and structure. New structures do not have outlets to discharge additional groundwater, and use of plastic lining hampers water percolation. These steps need to be undertaken to make farm ponds ecologically sustainable:

The Umiam Dam is built on River Umiam, on the Brahmaputra River basin in seismic zone-V. It is a Gravity and Masonry type of Dam and was constructed in 1965 for the purpose of generating Hydroelectric Power in the region. The dam stands about 74 metres above the foundation and has a length of 175 metres.

A leisure boat ride should never be missed at Umiam Lake. The sight of the serene waters of the reservoir, the lush green forests that surround the lake under the enchanting skies is truly exhilarating. Boating is one of the most preferred activities in the region and visitors can choose between Group, Family, Couple and Solo boat rides between 9:00 AM and 05:00 PM at costs starting from INR 20.

Water sports are highly recommended in the lake waters. Adventure seekers can satisfy their craving for adventure sports at the Water Sports Complex by the Umiam Lake that has provisions for Solo boating, Angling, Kayaking and Water Skiing. Timing of the Water Sports Complex - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Every day of the week. 

Pedal Boating/ Canoeing/ Kayaking - INR 20; Water Scooter Ride (5 minutes) - INR 50; Cruise Boat (10 minutes) - INR 10; Speed Boat (5 minutes) - INR 75; River Bus Ride (20 minutes) - INR 50; Yachting (60 minutes) - INR 100; Water Skiing (5 minutes) - INR 200

Trekking and Camping at Umiam Lake is a marvellous idea for serious trekkers. They can trek through the dense forests and camp at the Lumpongden Island which is an isolated piece of land in the reservoir. The entire process of building camping tents to campfires and cooking food is a wonderful experience and should be had at least once in a lifetime.

Fishing freaks can go fishing in the Umiam Lake. The enormous area of the reservoir is home to a variety of fishes like Carps and Catfishes. Locals frequent the lake for fishing every day.

Umiam Lake is famous for its lovely little Boathouse by a lake island, the Lumpongden Island. Visitors have to book the Boat House in advance. Only one group of people (6 people maximum) can stay at the Boat House at a time, so the ones needing peace and privacy away from the crowds frequently book this place. 

Water Sports Complex = INR 1200 (to and fro), 
Boat House = INR 3500,