� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � second edition • Nebraska Pond Management • 85
The formula for calculating a pond's volume is surface area (acres) x average depth (feet). Average
pond depth can be estimated by measuring the depth of the water in a number of places throughout
the pond, adding these measures together to get a total, and then dividing the total by the number of
measurements. Several transects should be established across the pond (from one side straight across
to the other side). Depth measurements should be taken/recorded every 40 feet with an electronic
depth finder or a weight attached to a string marked in feet.
VOLUME (acre-feet) = surface area (acres) x average depth (feet)
EXAMPLE: forty measurements were taken while
conducting three transects across the surface of
a .75 acre pond; average depth calculated to be
4 feet; therefore, .75 x 4 = 3 acre-feet
3 transects
(aerial view
of pond)
D
A
M
