Do any math guys out there have any formula to give us an idea of the amount of rain necessary to increase a pond's water level one foot?

I know some ponds are small and others are large with different topography, drainage and foliage, but there has to be a formula to estimate how much rain is needed to increase the pond's water level by a foot.

Example, we had .58 inches of rain last night. How much did the 5 acre pond's water level rise due to the rain and runoff?

Just wondering.

Thanks.

I think it would be hard to determine because it would be hard to measure how much runoff the pond would get. Just my thinking

it would depend on the size of the pond too, the bigger the pond the more rain its going to take. the water level in a pond i fish frequently is as high as its ever been, the fish seem to be loving it, and feeding more because of it. they also have more cover in the grass and stuff along the bank

It depends on a lot of factors, the size of the pond being one. The size of the watershed contributing to the pond is probably more important.

I met with one of my clients today.

Chris is the Executive Director of the Appomottox River Water Authority and he controls Lake Chesdin.

He told me it would be impossible to have such a formula due to the hydro data an the types of soil, etc., etc., etc.

I guess we just have to watch the waters to see how much they increase after a rain storm.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Sam, there should be such a formula but I can not recall what it is called or where to find it. I know the Sabine River Authority gives out lake level drops for Toledo Bend according to evaporation; they also have listed how many acres or square acres of drainage is available in the lake’s surrounding landscape.

Maybe try sending Bob Lusk a PM or e-mail

Thanks Catt.

Appreciate the feedback.

Sam

Sam, why didnt you ask me this question when we were on the phone today? Yeah, there is a formula for this. I have to ask one of my civil engineering buddies, I did mechanical so no water run off pond calcs for me.

No way can there be any useful formula that applies to any body of water. There's so many different variables! Between how fast the water evaporates, soil type, the amount of runoff...There could be a formula for specific bodies of water but not any body of water.