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Large open water ponds are useful in storing rainwater. Natural depressions (pans) also hold rainwater in a similar way but are not modified or designed. Ponds described in this section include those that are either excavated and/or which might make use of the natural topography, and which in most cases involve an embankment around part of the pond to retain the water (the material for which may have come from excavation works). They come by different names in different countries, but names include johads and “hafirs”. These reservoirs can also be formed in existing seasonal water courses or valleys, in which case they may also be called valley dams, which are essentially the same as gully plugs (check dams). They can have limited to high aquifer recharge capacity – for ponds purposely built to increase groundwater recharge. Ponds are excellent in storing surface water for various uses (e.g. irrigation, livestock), although they may also recharge groundwater. Ponds can be lined as well as unlined.

====Size the pond====

Pond size (and therefore dam height) can be decided according to water demand, evaporation & seepage losses, length of critical period and average stream flow according to the following:

* Determine water requirement (R litres/day)