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Our 2.5 acre pond dried up in the extreme heat
this past summer, through evaporation and I have
some questions. Our pond is not only filled by
rainwater and runoff, but by a pond above our
pond. When the creek between the ponds dries up,
we have discovered that the rainfall is not enough
to keep our pond full. If we add aerators to our
pond with the intent of bringing colder water to
the surface, will the water in our pond remain for
a longer time? |
Question Date: 2019-02-22 | | Answer 1:
It is unlikely that aerating your pond would
reduce evaporation. In small laboratory tank
experiments, aeration actually increases
evaporation by putting more water in contact
with air. In large reservoirs where the volume of
water in the bubble columns is relatively small,
there can be slightly decreased evaporation in the
spring due to the effect you mentioned, but on
average, the effect is negligible. Also, in order
for the deeper water to be cool enough to make a
significant difference, the pond would need to be
about 18 meters deep. I am guessing that your pond
is shallower.
Another detail you might want to consider to
keep more water in your pond is what the bottom is
made of. The finer grained the soil, the less
water will soak into the ground. (On the other
hand, as long as you have a well to get it back
again, you might want to let all of your water
soak into the ground, as it won't evaporate from
there.)
| | Answer 2:
Aeration is the process of infusing oxygen into
the pond. It’s really important for growing
good bacteria that eat all the nutrients in the
water. This reduces much, increases water quality
and clarity, and eliminates that yucky rotten egg
smell. It’s also important for moving the colder,
oxygen-deprived water from the bottom to the
surface. Colder water molecules move slower and
don’t escape the surface as quickly. Although
it might not completely fix your problem, the
water should evaporate a little slower!
| | Answer 3:
Adding aerators to the pond will actually make
it evaporate faster! By mixing the pond and
bringing cold water to the surface, you will
actually increase the rate heat is transferred
into the pond, which will make it evaporate
faster than if you did nothing. The rate that
heat is transferred depends on the temperature
difference between the two things that are in
contact. In your case, the heat transfer
depends on the temperature of the surface of the
water and the temperature of the air. If you
make the surface of the water colder, the heat
transfer gets faster, and the pond won't last as
long!
| | Answer 4:
Keeping the surface of the lake colder would
reduce the rate of evaporation and keep your pond
drier. I do not know if aerators would help with
that, though - aerators would generate heat just
by their operation.
| | Answer 5:
No, according to this:
"Evaporation rates were found to increase with
greater aeration rate."
Effects of mechanical aeration on evaporation rate
and water
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