The heart of every small pond or lake is its drainage system. Drainage systems vary in type, from corrugated metal pipes (CMP) to concrete box culverts to more sophisticated siphon systems, but their essential function is the same: keeping the water level in your pond from becoming either too high or too low.
CMP drainage systems were commonly installed 20 to 30 years ago, and many of those systems are now reaching the end of their expected life spans due to corrosion and other factors. If your CMP system is at least 15 years old and/or is rusted, clogged, or visibly damaged, you should consider fixing the system before it “fixes” you. Drainage systems failures are costly, and once your lake starts draining it’s too late for less expensive prevention options.
A simple inspection of your existing drainage system can identify potential problems before they become critical. Siphon systems can be installed with minimal disruption to the pond and at a reasonable cost.
