In warmer regions of the country, pond evaporation is a year-round battle. In any part of the U.S., the summers are warm enough to speed up water evaporation in ponds. Because it's a natural occurrence, you can’t prevent evaporation completely. However, you can drastically reduce how much water you lose in the warmer months by keeping your water shaded and at cooler temperatures. Use a combination of techniques to protect your pond from evaporation.
Add aquatic plants that will partially cover the water surface to your pond. Aquatic plants will not only shade the water below, they will also absorb some of the sun’s energy, keeping the water cooler. Buy plants that will grow easily in your U.S. Department of Agriculture zone. In the warmer USDA zones of 7 to 10, where pond evaporation is more of a challenge, you can use plants such as yellow floating hearts (Nymphoides peltata), water lilies and green taro plants (Colocasia esculenta).
Plant tall bushes or trees around the outside of your pond to shade the water. Choose evergreen bushes and trees that drop few leaves or seed pods to keep the water clear. If you choose a tree or bush that can get messy, plant it farther away from the pond where it will still provide shade but will not drop leaves or seeds into the water. The leaves or seeds can change the chemistry of the pond and may even be toxic to pond fish.
Install a trellis on the edge of the pond in a position where it will block the afternoon sunlight. Afternoon sunlight during the hottest part of the day causes the most evaporation. The trellis will shade the pond during this time. To provide extra shade, plant a vine to grow up the trellis.
Reduce the amount of agitation caused by any water features in the pond. Waterfalls and filters that splash and agitate the water cause the water to evaporate more quickly.
Things You Will Need
- Aquatic plants
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