Have you ever looked at your pond and thought the water level looked like it had dropped recently?
We get this call quite often. It goes something like this:
Client: I think my pond might leak; the water looks as though it has dropped an inch or two today!
The Pond Gnome: What is it that makes you think the water has dropped and inch or two?
Client: Well, there is a wet line on the rocks over an inch above the water where it was obviously higher recently.
The Pond Gnome: What you’re describing is a “wicking line.” Water can actually move up a rock or concrete surface using the imperfections in the surface through a process called capillary action. Capillary action leaves a wet mark that can be as much as 2” above the water level. This is also how the dreaded “white line” (hard water deposits) is formed, as this wicking line evaporates and leaves behind the minerals from the water.
Often, someone who has not been looking at their pond very closely (I know, how is that possible?) for a while will suddenly realize the water level is well below the coping rocks. The water in an organic water garden is set an inch or two below the membrane system, not the rocks around the perimeter. If those rocks are four or five inches thick, then the water level could easily be 6-8 inches below the top of the coping stones, depending on what type of stone was used and how the pond was put together.
what is the most accurate way to check the proper level of your pond water?
The answer lies within your skimmer. Well, actually, at the front opening of your skimmer, where the debris enters into the skimmer basket is the first place to look. The water level should be ¾” to 1” below the top of the skimmer opening. This maximizes both your pond water level and the skimming action possible for this piece of equipment.
Second, you should first check the overflow pipe within the skimmer box. Your water level should be set between ¼” to ½” below the overflow outlet pipe. Third, if your autofill is not running at more than a drip or drizzle, your pond does not have a leak.
Have more questions about ponds in Arizona? Let us know!
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