Small Pond Potential Uses

Hi, so I have a natural spring that flows out of a hillside in the woods. Not a terribly high amount of flow (maybe 1.5-5 gpm) but it nearly always runs.

The spring flows down into a relatively flat area before it gets steep again and the water falls down the hill. This flat area is shallow and marshy with clumps of grassy soil and gravel.

I’m thinking about digging out the soil and using it to further dam up the spring. The bedrock is likely only 1-3 ft down. Once I’m finished, I would have a small spring-fed pond. Around 20 ft wide, and maybe 1-3 ft at the deepest.

So, to my question. What could I do with such a small pond? It’s too small for fish. In the fall, it will likely catch and accumulate a good amount of leaves. Is there a good edible waterplant fill it with? What creative uses can you guys think for how I could use it? Thank you!

Much depends up your location.  No matter what, I would attempt to have one location be deeper.  That will help in both the heat and cold.
Also, check your laws regarding obstructing a waterway.    

The pond could serve for fish, watering crops, livestock, and possibly fire control.

Ponds are great for biodiversity, everybody should have one, they multiply the shelter for so many insects and so on that you have a much greater chance of stabalizing the microclimate around whatever you want to grow. If it's connected to a stream, fish will come i guess. Much depends on size of the pond as well. I would advice against making it gigantic at once, but definitely start a small one to see what happens.