Large ponds can do two jobs at once: bring wildlife back and keep more water on your land when you need it. SAS Aquatics builds farm and estate ponds across Devon and Cornwall, designed for long term water storage, livestock resilience, and biodiversity uplift. Whether you want a new wildlife pond, an irrigation storage pond, or a larger pond with wetland margins and scrapes, we design the system around your land, your catchment, and how you actually work the site.
If you are a landowner looking for a robust, low maintenance pond build with clear outcomes, we can assess options and provide a practical build plan and quote after a site visit.

Why landowners are building ponds now

A well designed pond can deliver real outcomes on working land:

• More water held on the farm through dry spells
• A reliable drinking source for livestock where suitable
• Water storage that can support irrigation planning
• New wet habitat that boosts biodiversity and supports natural pest control
• Better resilience to heavy rainfall through capture, overflow control, and wetland buffering
• A landscape feature that can add long term value to an estate

Pond types for farms and estates

We build a range of ponds depending on your needs and the site:

Wildlife ponds at scale

Designed for maximum biodiversity, with wide shallow margins, varied depths, and habitat features that support amphibians, invertebrates and birds.

Livestock watering ponds

Practical water bodies designed around access, safety, erosion control, and long term water quality. Where needed, we can recommend separate drinking points or protected access to reduce bank damage.

Water storage ponds for irrigation

Ponds designed to store water for later use, often described as reservoirs in agriculture. Design usually focuses on reliable retention, safe overflow, and clear access for maintenance.

Linked systems

A main pond can be paired with smaller scrapes, wet margins, and silt traps to slow water, spread habitat, and reduce sediment build up.

Key design considerations for working land

Every site is different, but the same fundamentals apply on successful landowner builds:

Catchment, inflows, and water balance

We look at where water is coming from, what happens in heavy rain, and how the system behaves in summer. Getting this right is the difference between a pond that thrives and a pond that struggles.

Overflows and spillways

A well designed overflow protects banks, reduces erosion risk, and safely routes higher flows. Larger ponds often need more deliberate overflow design.

Access for maintenance

Large ponds still need future access. We plan tracks, turning areas, and safe edges so management is easy.

Safety and stock control

We can plan gentle shelves, protected margins, fenced sections, and designated access points so the pond works with livestock rather than becoming a problem area.

Ecology first, but practical

We build the pond to be functional and robust, then layer in habitat, planting zones, and complexity that increases biodiversity without making the site hard to manage.

Sealing options for large ponds

The right sealing method depends on soils, water availability, and budget.

Natural clay where suitable

If your ground has the right clay content and conditions, a clay sealed pond can be a great option.

Bentonite enhancement

Where soils need support, bentonite sealing can improve retention and is often used in agricultural pond builds.

Geosynthetic clay liner

For reliable retention with an eco focused approach, geosynthetic clay liners are a strong option for large ponds and can suit wildlife and water storage projects.

Our build process

We keep the process straightforward and transparent:

1. Site visit and objectives

We confirm what you want the pond to achieve and check constraints, access, and likely water sources.

2. Concept layout and set out

We agree shape, size, depths, and the position of margins, inflows, and overflow routes.

3. Excavation and profiling

We excavate with stable gradients, shelves for habitat, and a deeper zone for water security.

4. Sealing and protection

We install the chosen sealing solution and protect it where needed with appropriate layers.

5. Habitat features and finish

We add deadwood, stone, shelves, and edge shaping that makes the pond instantly more valuable for wildlife.

6. Aftercare and management plan

We advise on establishment, planting timing, and how to manage vegetation and silt over time.

Costs and what drives price

Large pond builds vary widely, so we quote after a site visit. The biggest cost drivers are:

• Size and depth
• Access and spoil handling
• Soil type and sealing method
• Overflow design and ground protection
• Links to scrapes, wetlands, or silt traps
• Whether the site needs clearance or enabling works

If you want a fast initial steer, send photos, a rough location, and an approximate target size, and we will advise whether the project looks straightforward or complex.

Planning and compliance notes

Rules vary by site. Larger water storage projects may involve planning considerations and water related permissions depending on how the pond is filled and how it interacts with watercourses. A practical starting point for irrigation style reservoirs is the Environment Agency guidance on planning and design.
For countryside pond and lake creation, Defra guidance also emphasises the importance of planning the design and considering soils and water retention.

If you tell us what the pond is for, where the water will come from, and whether there are nearby watercourses, we can point you toward the right route early.

If you are a landowner planning a larger pond build in Devon or Cornwall, send us:

• Your location and access notes
• A few photos
• What you want the pond to achieve
• Any preferred size range

We will come back with the next steps, likely options for sealing, and a clear route to a quote.

Call 08000371125 

Email info@sasaquatics.com or complete our Contact Form