A rainwater harvesting and irrigation project based on the construction of climate-resilient farm ponds was inaugurated at Kukas in Jaipur district on Monday (June 30, 2025) after the creation of annual water conservation capacity of 15 crore litres. The 75 scientifically designed farm ponds will support year-round irrigation for 300 acres of farmland.

Kambala Rajanikanth Reddy is a medium farmer of this village owning five acres of land. Taking up an offer thrown by the government he came forward to construct a farm pond in his filed by sparing about 10 guntas of land. The size of the farm pond constructed was 20 metres wide, 20 metres long and three metres deep which can store about 7.15 lakh litres of water. This water will be collected either from rain flow or from bore-wells. The farmer can use this water whenever required.

Farm ponds play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to the agricultural productivity of a farm. A healthy pond ecosystem balances water, plants, fish, and microorganisms. This balance is essential for the pond and the surrounding environment.

The districts of Alluri Sitarama Raju (7,566), Parvathipuram Manyam (6,317), and Annamayya (5,181) lead the charge, securing the top three positions in completion rating• These ponds enable farmers to cultivate long-term income-generating plants like papaya, banana, guava, and curry leaves
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious project to construct 1.55 lakh farm ponds has reached a significant milestone, with 50,000 ponds now completed. The districts of Alluri Sitarama Raju (7,566), Parvathipuram Manyam (6,317), and Annamayya (5,181) lead the charge, securing the top three positions in completion rating. Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development VR Krishna Teja Mylavarapu highlighted the multifaceted benefits of farm ponds for farmers, calling them a ‘crop lifeline.’ He stated that these ponds enable farmers to cultivate long-term income-generating plants like papaya, banana, guava, and curry leaves. The stored water can also be utilised for spraying pesticides and even for pisciculture. Furthermore, he noted that constructing a farm pond in fields with borewells can increase groundwater levels, allowing farmers to cultivate larger areas.

In the last few years, the water situation in Maharashtra has got worse resulting in severe droughts leading to drinking water scarcity and agricultural crisis. This has caused immense suffering for the rural folk in the state and saw instances of violence in the name of water. The government was forced to enforce Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code to facilitate smooth distribution of water among the population.

In this guide, we'll dive into creative and practical farm pond landscaping ideas specifically for residents in Kansas City and the surrounding areas.
Written by:
Editorial Team @ Bulletproof Pond and Lake
Last Updated: September 29, 2025 • 7 min read
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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:

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