Aquaculture Engineering

Unit 4- Layout planning of fish ponds

Design of ponds

Pond geometry

Pond geometry, example shape and size mainly depend upon the species to be cultured, purpose of the pond. Example whether for nursery, rearing, grow out or any other purposes, culture system to be employed, soil characteristics and topography of the area. Ponds design varies considerably from one level of management to another. The usual practice is to have the pond size between 1 to 5 ha for extensive farming, 0.25 to 1 ha for semi-intensive farming and 0.025 to 0.25 ha for intensive farming. For intensive farming smaller size ponds are constructed in different shapes such as circular, square, rectangular, triangular. Circular and square shapes are more commonly used. They are economical from the point of view of construction, enhance the water circulation in the pond and facilitate central drainage. The larger ponds, on the other hand are usually constructed in rectangular shape as it facilitates the pond management and culture operation.