Catfish Farming Page: 2
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Methods of Catfish Farming
Ponds
Pond culture is by far the most common type of catfish produc-
tion. Ponds can be installed on sloping upland valleys or on nearly
level land. The number, size, and shape of ponds are often limited by
soils, topography, and available water supplies. Catfish farms may
range in size from 20 acres or less to 640 acres or more depending on
available resources.
A catfish farm needs a water-distribution system, convenient
drainage facilities, complete protection against floodwater, and a
system of all-weather roads. Careful attention to pond size and
design, elevation of drainpipes, and adequacy of outlets and spill-
ways is important.
The earth-fill levee or dam is probably the most expensive item of
construction when a catfish pond is installed. The design of the dam
or levee depends on the site selected. The watershed or drainage
area, the height of the dam, the need for a roadway along the top,
and the soil under the dam, as well as the soil material to be used in
the dam, must be considered. Dams are built of soil material ex-
cavated from inside or outside the pond area, or both. Soils in certain
locations are unsuitable for catfish ponds because of their low water
holding capacity and/or cavernous conditions underneath the pond.
The side slope of the dam or levee must be able to withstand erosion
from the wave action. All trees, stumps, and brush should be re-
moved from the water area. Smooth the bottom and gradually slope
it to the harvesting area. Establish grass cover on dams and levees.
Do not locate ponds on land where pesticides have been regu-
larly applied to crops, especially to cotton. If there is any question
concerning pesticide residues, have the soils tested.
An overflow pipe (fig. 2) is needed to discharge runoff water and
prevent loss of fish through the emergency spillway. This pipe estab-
lishes a stable waterline and allows temporary storage to be accumu-
lated and disposed of without excessive use of the emergency
spillway. To prevent a loss of fish through the overflow pipe, place
around this pipe a sleeve of larger pipe that extends up to the level of
the emergency spillway. This sleeve acts as a trash rack and allows
deeper water containing less oxygen to be discharged (fig. 3). If
runoff water periodically enters a pond, a properly designed spillway
is needed. When water flows through a spillway, catfish may swim
out of the pond. To prevent losing fish, the spillway must be wide
enough that the flow is less than 3 inches deep. A screened overfall
(fig. 4) installed in the spillway keeps undesirable fish from entering
the pond from downstream.
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United States. Soil Conservation Service. Catfish Farming, pamphlet, 1981; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc97307/m1/4/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.