Mill Ponds is a local family business specialising in ponds and rural services around Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. With over 35 years experience working with water and rural industries, we apply our knowledge and skills to provide practical, cost-effective solutions. Mill Ponds provide a professional, quality service to clients, regarding ponds, lakes and rural services. Traditional & wildlife ponds Pond de-silting & dredging Planting & perimeter landscaping Woodland, farm estate & equestrian services Fencing & boardwalks Land drainage, ditching, soak-aways & underground water storage Bank erosion, leaks & re-lining Pond conservation, spillways & weirs
LEAKS, EROSION, RE-LINING & SPILLWAYS We use our experience and expertise to assess each individual site, identifying and then resolving the problems caused by water, such as leaks and erosion. This spillway had a heavy flow of water through it during the Winter months which caused significant erosion. The solution was to build a new spillway using concrete Armourloc blocks which are extremely tough and effective (pic 1). We can easily rectify minor erosion problems here we have used sandbags and built a new bridge (pic 2). We repaired this ditch to prevent the banks from eroding, using oak boards for revetment (pic 3). We also carry out bank revetment repair using Nicospan and coir matting (pic 4). We have repaired leaks in clay ponds by creating a cut-off trench that is then compacted with clay (pic 5-7). 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
BANK EROSION & CONSERVATION We undertake a variety of bank revetment work, using products that help prevent further erosion. Environmental conservation is at the heart of everything we do and, wherever possible, we use products that work with the environment, plants and wildlife. Various stages of a revetment project, using Mat Mac R and coir matting that was planted with suitable water plants which became established in the Spring (pic 1-3). We created an island in a pond with woven chestnut sticks. Gelon fabric was placed behind this and the silt from the pond was used to build the island (pic 4). We also use Nicospan revetment fabric to stabilise banks and reinstate ponds and streams (pic 5-6). 3. 4. 5. 6.
TRADITIONAL We can create ponds to compliment their surroundings, whether urban or rural, either from good quality clay (where available) or using a commercial liner. Step-by-step process Cut & fill landscape surrounding area. Dig out pond. 3. Lay first layer of a commercial Geo-fabric to protect liner from damage. 4. Liner is laid in pond over Geo-fabric. 3. 5. Final layer of a Geo-fabric is laid on top of liner. 6. Liner is secured in an anchor trench around perimeter of pond. Liner is then covered with material of choice, e.g. soil, pebble or stone. 4. 7. Completed pond after 6 months. 5. 6. 7.
WILDLIFE Wildlife ponds are usually constructed no more than 2 metres deep at the deepest point, with gently sloping batters to allow easy access in and out for wildlife. We carry out excavation and landscaping of the surrounding area. A new wildlife pond can take some time to become established, if left to its own devices, or you may opt to populate with a good selection of water plants. We are on hand to advise you on pond planting and are also suppliers of good quality pond plants and shrubs. The three main types of water plant are: Aerating water plants, such as curled pondweed Floating plants, such as lilies and water soldiers Marginal, such as iris and water mint for various depths. Pic From a field to a wildlife area in just three weeks. Pic A lined garden wildlife pond soon after completion. pic 3. A brick-lined wildlife pond, ready for spring planting. 3.
DE-SILTING / DREDGING Mill Ponds are capable of carrying out essential de-silting on ponds and lakes, to remove the build-up of leaf debris and other matter that form silt. Nutrients can become locked in the silt which can make the pond or lake unhealthy, so de-silting or partially de-silting is necessary to restore balance, so that plants and creatures can thrive again. Mill Ponds take the utmost care to ensure that mess is kept to a minimum, in what is inevitably a muddy process. We also offer a range of other services including: field maintenance, leak repairs, pipe laying, fencing, ditching, laying stable bases, farm tracks & drives, rising arenas, land drainage and soak-aways. We are experienced in building jetties, boardwalks and other wooden structures in and around wetland areas and ponds. Pic Further dredging work in progress & a small revetment bank. Pic Site immediately after dredging work is completed.
LANDSCAPING PROJECT These photographs document a project that involved landscaping an area, draining and dredging a pond, as well as constructing a walkway jetty. We also installed a revetment fence around the perimeter of the lake using Mat Mac R permeable fabric backed with coir matting and planted with native pond plants, with the silt contained below. Over the next year the plants become established and this further reinforces the bank, with their root system, covering the revetment.
WILDLIFE POND PROJECT This is a wildlife pond project where our client had a paddock and wanted the effect of a wildlife pond running away into a colvert via a stream. We built everything, using a commercial liner protected by 500 grade fabric on both sides. A pump was installed in a tank to pump water to an upper pond, emerging from a water feature. A further small stream was also constructed. The area was then planted and re-seeded this picture was taken just 7 weeks after planting.
JETTIES & BOARDWALKS For more information or to discuss a project, call us on 01403 820 696