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Had a wild idea about making a pond and keeping it fed with fresh stream water. I have a small stream that flows across the back of my property and I was wondering, can I dig a nice size pond area, line it and cover with river rock. Then cut an area downstream heading back to the stream, build up the outside of the pond with large rocks as a wall and cut an entry for the water upstream. In the entry and exit where the water flows through the pond I can make a large screen to go across it to keep the turtles in. Am I confusing everyone? I can draw a diagram but I'm wondering what are the laws about tampering with the flow of a small stream?

Laws regarding water vary from state to state. Are you in an incorporated area? You might ask your city Public Works department.

No I'm outside the city limits... How about the idea? I wouldn't have to worry about a pond pump

You would still need some kind of recirculating pump/uv sterilizer at least part of the time. A flow through setup is often the best, no doubt about it. However if the creek floods/dries your turtle is at the mercy of the elements, unless you're clever enough to plumb it such that it'll always be full of water. The only way I can think of doing that is with a pump. But yeah, go for it! If you need any help designing I have quite a bit of experience with drainage and plumbing.

so, im guessing like the water would flow into the pond, and then out of the pond.... kinda like a natural filtration? thats a great idea! i'd be worried about the temp of the water and any parasite or nastys getting stuck but go for it!

It was a crazy idea. For the most part it comes for an underground source that flows through limestone and is quite clean and when it rains it doesn't flood much at all or my back yard would be in trouble. I'll keep it in mind when it comes time to get a larger tank in a good 4 or 5 years.