Garden ponds can quickly overflow or flood during periods of heavy or prolonged rain.
Ponds located in low lying areas are especially susceptible to flooding as the water from higher up in the garden will make its way into the pond.
In this article I’ll share my tips to stop your garden pond overflowing.
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One of the worst things about an overflowing pond is the water getting underneath the liner, causing the pond to float.
Fortunately, there are a few different ways to stop your pond overflowing and they are quite easy to set up.
Pond overflow
A pond overflow is basically a pipe that can be installed vertically in the pond or horizontally at the edge of the pond.
Overflow pipes should be fitted just above the natural water level and as the water rises it will move the excess water out of the pipe to another part of the garden or to a water storage tank.
Garden ponds with built-in overflows are less susceptible to flooding as the water flows out of the pipe when the level gets too high.
Just remember to put some sort of mesh or screen at the point where the pipe enters your pond to stop your fish and plants from getting sucked into the pipe.
Is a pond overflow necessary?
If you live in an area with high rainfall it’s definitely worth including an overflow pipe as part of your initial planning.
You can also add an overflow to an established pond.
In areas with a dry climate and very little rainfall you can probably get away with not installing an overflow and you could try one of the other methods below.
Other ways to stop your pond overflowing
If your pond is level with the ground it’s a good idea to keep the water level a few inches below top of the pond to allow for rain and runoff from surrounding areas.
You can add a gravel area around the edge of your pond to help drain away excess water, install a retaining wall at the lowest part of the pond or build a dry creek bed down from your pond to help move the water away.
If you’re hit with a sudden downpour of rain you can also stop your pond flooding by scooping out the excess water with a bucket.
Protecting pond fish from flooding
Flooding ponds can cause fish to be washed out of the pond so you’ll need to keep a close eye on your pond during heavy rain.
Excessive rainfall can also alter the pH level of the pond, causing the fish to die off so check the pH level of your pond as soon as you can after the rain subsides.
If you have a lot of extra water in your backyard pond from rain or flooding it’s definitely worth trying one of these methods to contain it because an overflowing pond can cause a lot of damage, not just to your yard but your neighbor’s yard as well.
Be creative and channel the excess water to other parts of your garden or store it for future use in the garden.
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Have you had problems with your pond overflowing? What methods have you used to stop your pond flooding? Let me know in the comments below.
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards dedicated to Garden Pond Tips and Backyard Pond Design that you may find interesting.
