We started irrigating fields on July 25 and finished the last sprinkler set on August 13. Irrigation water comes from the big pond in the northeast corner of the farm, and that pond is fed from underground springs.
How much did the pond drop? Between the hot weather in August and our 12 to 16 hours-a-day of drawing water from the pond, the pond dropped about eight inches. Normally, the pond is just about to the bottom of the dock, but after watering for nearly three weeks, the pond level is visibly lower.
We are also seeing that the pond water is clearing up. It was clear in the spring, got murky over the summer, and just started clearing up in the last week or so.
We’ll be watching the big pond to see how fast it recharges.
