General Sizing Formulas for Building Your Pond

Formula to Figure Liner Size In Feet: 
Length = Length + (2 x Depth) + (2 x Edging) + 1 foot extra
Width = Width + (2 x Depth) + (2 x Edging) + 1 foot extra

The amount allowed for edging is determined by type and width of edging. For example, flag stone will require 1.5 feet on each side while brick may require 0.5 feet

Water Garden Pump Sizing
Your water garden pump should be sized to circulate at least 1/2 of the water every hour. If you have a waterfall, there will be head loss so you must then go UP in pump size to achieve proper circulation. Why does the GPH of your pump decline with height? Because water is heavy. Each foot of water exerts a downward pressure on the pump and as the downward pressure on the pump increases, the GPH decreases. If possible buy a bigger size - if you purchase a pump that exceeds the performance rating you think you need, your pump will last longer.  Brands of pumps:  Pondmaster, Laguna, PowerFlo, PowerJet, Cal Pump, ClearChoice

Formula to Figure Surface Area of Pond

• Rectangle Pond:
  Length in feet times width in feet = number of square feet in surface area. 

• Circle Pond: 
  3.14 times 1/2 diameter in feet times 1/2 diameter in feet = number of square feet in surface area.

Formula to Figure, Volume (Gallons) of Pond

• Rectangle Pond: 
  Length in feet times width in feet times average depth in feet = number of cubic feet. Cubic feet times 7.5 = number of gallons in your pond. 

• Circle Pond: 
  3.14 times 1/2 diameter in feet times 1/2 diameter in feet times average depth in feet = number of cubic feet. Cubic feet times 7.5 = number of gallons in your pond.