Prefabricated Pond

To mark out a symetrical pond, turn it upside down and draw the outline accurately on the ground. If the pond is irregular shaped, place it upright and level it out with supports so that a series of stakes, straight sticks, canes, or rods can be driven vertically into the ground all the way around the pond outline. This gives an approximate shape that can be further refined by looping a tape or garden hose at ground level around these guides.

For an easier outline, measure the maximum length of the pond, and the width at several points along the sides. Markk out an approximate rectangular shape on the ground slightly larger than these dimensions. This method does mean having to dig more earth, though.