The decision to permanently close your pond is a big one and should not be taken lightly. Once you’ve permanently closed your pond and filled the hole there’s no going back. Ponds require a lot of maintenance, and you may not have time to maintain it, it may not be safe for your family or loved ones, or it simply may not be your style anymore. No matter your reasoning, it can be done but it’s important to remember that its no easy feat. Established ponds can be extremely complicated to remove which is why it may be best to consult with a professional before you kick off the project.
Before you can permanently close your pond, you must first take these steps into consideration:
Safety remove all plants and wildlife
If you’ve had your pond for quite some time, it’s likely that you have created an ecosystem with both plants and wildlife. In order to properly and responsibly close your pond permanently, you will want to safely remove and rehome any living organisms. When emptying your pond, its best to keep a bucket nearby with pond water that you can use to temporarily home any fish before transporting them to a nearby lake or pond. It’s best to use pond water when doing so in order to mimic their natural habitat to the best of your abilities. After you’ve removed any and all wildlife from your pond, it’s time to get to work on disconnecting any electrical cords, pumps, or filters from the area.
Drain your pond
After you’ve safely rehomed any wildlife and unplugged any electrical elements, you can begin to drain your pond. You can drain your pond by siphoning the water with a tube or hose or bailing the water with a bucket. After the pond has been drained, you will be able to remove any decorative assets like the liner and surrounding plants.
These methods will do in a pinch, but one of the most effective ways you can drain your pond is by using a pond pump. A pond pump will get the job done quickly and efficiently with minimal effort. If you don’t have a pump on hand and don’t have the capacity to use one of the other drainage methods, you may want to consider contacting a professional that can help you get the job done.
Remove unwanted debris and reference local bylaws
After the pond is drained, you will be able to safely remove the liner. Since you are permanently closing the pond and will be longer need the liner, you may want to consider poking holes in the liner to help the pond drain quicker. If your pond is made of concrete, you will want to make sure you break down the materials accordingly so you can dispose of them correctly.
After you’ve broken down and collected all of your debris, you can get to work on filling the hole. Before filling the hole, you may want to reference your local laws and bylaws to ensure you’re able to properly dispose of any waste that has been incurred as a result of the project.
When it’s time to fill the hole, you can get to work on sourcing appropriate fill for the job. After its filled, you can use a rake or heavy machinery for a bigger job to ensure the area is flat and ready to landscape in whichever way you wish.
Enjoy your new space
After the hole has been filled and smoother, you can decide what you would like to do next. Maybe you want to completely cover the area and blend it into the remainder of your property? Or maybe, you want to get creative and use your new patch of land for a garden, or patio?
Do you have the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to permanently close your pond?
Permanently closing your pond is no easy task. Like any major renovation, or landscaping project, its best to consult a team of professionals that can help you get the job done right. Our team would be more than happy to help point you in the right direction.