Topic outline

  • A Guide to Excavated and Embankment Pond Systems

    Credits: 8 PDH

    Course Description:

    For centuries landowners have been building ponds for livestock water, aquaculture, irrigation and recreation. More than 2 million ponds had been built in the United States by land users on privately owned land. More will be needed in the future.

    The demand for water increased in recent years, and ponds are one of the most reliable and economical sources of water. Ponds are now serving a variety of purposes, including water for livestock, irrigation, fish production, field and orchard spraying, fire protection, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation, erosion control, and landscape improvement.

    This course introduces the two main types of dams, embankment and excavated, and some of the design and construction considerations for the various planned uses.

    Topics:

    • Embankment ponds
    • Excavated ponds
    • Various water needs for agriculture and aquaculture
    • Water needs for waterfowl and other wildlife
    • Ponds used in landscaping
    • Ponds used for recreation
    • Preliminary investigations for pond planning
    • Pond safety considerations to consider before construction

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide (Mobile Format)

    3.) Test:Upon reading the course Study Guide, please click below to take the quiz.
    (Note: you must be enrolled in the course, and logged into your user account, in order to activate the quiz).

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the quiz, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is of the basic to intermediate level of technical difficulty. It is intended for any engineer, whose job description and engineering practice may require a general knowledge of excavation and embankment pond systems. Principally: civil, geotechnical, environmental, hydraulics, water resources, land development, and stormwater professionals.
    Publication Source: Interactive (Flashcard) PDF
    Original Courseware: Based on materials from the USDA

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1