Building a Pond from a Natural Spring
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2023
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We bought a historic stone barn in the foothills of the Italian Alps and are renovating it to be our home. In an effort to bring this property back to a self sufficient homestead, this week we dig out a natural spring and turn it into a pond as a natural source for rain water collection.
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We are Heather, Bradey, Alexa and Chloe. We purchased an abandoned stone barn in the foothills of the Italian Alps and we are working together as a family to renovate and restore this old stone barn into our dream home.
Answering a common question. The puppies are some kind of wolf/dog hybrid. They are domesticated not wild. We did not separate them from their mother, their mother left them and went back home to her pen. The owners couldn’t find the babies after the mother left them so I brought them back to be reunited with their mom.
Thank you for the clarification.
Perfection 🙏
You're a hero returning the puppies to their Mum, Brady. The puppies looked beautiful and adorable. I wonder whether you will get a return visit? Love your water hole. Hope you can use it for the gardens and as a hot tub too.
I'm glad you hadn't gone completely mad, I must admit.
@@southshore8911 "You're" "Their"
If you can slow water higher up the mountain during rain and give the water a chance to sink in rather than run off, your spring will flow even better! Permaculture at its finest!
Also should plant more trees and vegetation to bring up that water table
@@adan8897 Dang it! You both beat me to it. I was going to say the exact same things. Which is to slow the water down and plant/keep vegetation. I can add this video link which is really inspiring and will back both of you up:
czcams.com/video/jM9j12VfqcQ/video.html
What a blessing to have found that unexpected natural recourse! It's very likely that people before you had it pooled up then piped down to the house for livestock or household water. Also, the little stone "box" could have been used like a spring house to keep dairy products stored and cooled in the water. So neat to have that available to you! Bonus for the off grid homestead!
That's what I was thinking, the box was a spring box to keep things cool. Whatever it was that happened to the original spring stonework looked pretty catastrophic, perhaps a major flood wiped it out one year? I imagine it might have had a wooden enclosure over it as well.
That or too many hugs and mosquitos bred so they filled it in. Or bad snow year and age of the structure to contain or funnel water flow.
Yes, that is most likely what it is. Old pioneer homesteads here in the Smokies in North Carolina have similar stone boxes beside a spring. Its for keeping milk and other things cold.
It would be interesting to put a camera at the spring, there will definitely be a parade of animals and birds there.
I am delighted that you have decided to use the spring! And I’m even more delighted that you took care of your back by using other mechanical means to move the enormous rocks. What a wonderful use of a natural resource! Good for you!
I worried about his back too, relieved to see this resolution!
When do you think you will finish inside and furnish it is your furniture in storage?
The goat's and wildlife will appreciate the spring
suggestion: drain tub. drill a hole in one of your rocks near the base of your wall. Insert a 1" pipe and re-seal, extending the pipe about 1 foot past the base of your tub. cut down a standard rubber tub stopper to fit in pipe. Now you've got a drain to quickly clean out the water / gunk to let new clean water back in. MUCH better than having to pump it out every time you want to clean!
Love that you are digging out that natural spring! After you cleared out a lot of the brush/dead trees, it is transformed into a very magical place…just beautiful💗
I moved to Italy 5 years ago. I live in Abruzzo. Incredibly simple life in Nature. I bought and renovated my 500 year old house. But I didn't go through the labor of love you and your family have been through. You live in a beautiful area, the evenings are so gorgeous. The tiny lights, the snow, the sounds, THE BELLS! I enjoy watching your videos so much. Molto bene. Katie
The church bells are so beautiful, aren't they? Enjoy your home, too!
what do you do for work? like how can you move to a different country and hope and find work? (General question would love to live in Italy)
Best episode yet… I am going to have to rewatch this one. What a gorgeous setting for the spring turned hot tub area! And wolf pups! And time with visiting family sharing family lore over roasted marshmallows. What an amazing childhood you are living your children! What amazing lives you are living! Thanks for sharing it with us.
There is another one, where he discovers a stone stair... the music ... all I hace seen it many times!
The bone looks like pig/boar. Often springs are highlighted by stone works and I think that is what you found (and was likely refurbished by later generations). Fun find
I discovered your channel through an article in the Epoch Times. I am SO grateful I clicked on the link. I have been, LOL (marathon) watching all your videos. I have laughed, I've cried and have felt such pride for your family. Your videos are fantastic and allow us to be transported to another Country. We are all privileged to witness your accomplishments and hard work. Thank you for sharing ❤
That is wonderful! We get the Epoch Times ...do you remember which issue?
Do be careful not to dig out too many large rocks.They help stabilise the hillside.
I’m so in awe with the work you’re doing; have a back support to protect your back. Be careful with Wilde animals, and what a beautiful video😊
What an amazing amount of work put in to shifting those boulders around the spring! I'd say that the insects and wildlife will appreciate a cool drink in the hot days ahead!
Even though the progress is sometimes slowed...each project is such a learning opportunity. In the end this will be so beneficial for the family, and beautiful as well...Well done voyagers...well done! Thank you for sharing with us!
Great job, a wonderful find. Water means life to so many things, without it survival is almost impossible. 😊
What a treasure finding that spring! Y'all are making a beautiful place for your family for years to come!
Great vlog. Your kids have grown so fast, your oldest is her mom’s mini. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure. Best from Canada.❤
Wow, such impressive foresight and transformation! And the hard work it took to clean up the area and move and set those stones! You are becoming a skilled stonemason! I love that you both aren't afraid to get the down and dirty work done! Thanks for including us!
It is obvious you have building skills, both inherent and acquired, so learning about your father answers a question I have had as I have watched your videos. I love how y'all combine so many interesting themes for todays evolving world. Thank you both
I really enjoyed watching you create that beautiful natural spring pool.
Your scaffold and winch project is genius! Wow! Impressive to say the least.
It is so beautiful there!
It’s interesting and fun watching the progress you make.
You sure handle the wolf situation
well. 👍
It’s not every day a person finds their self in that situation. You handled them with so much kindness and care . No better way.
Really neat spring water pond, what a great find!
Always looking forward to your next videos.
And always wishing for many blessings , safety and protection on you and your beautiful family. 🙏🙏💞
Impressed with your work at the water spring. Have you considered testing the water for it's natural chemical makeup/PH value? That may help you decide its future long term use.
Good call!
While watching you clearing out the spring. I started thinking what I would do. Putting a Ram pump near the pond, you could run water, anywhere on your property and use just no power
Wow, guys, the pond looks amazing! How relaxing and fun it is to see you achieving something beautiful for your home every week :)
Saludos desde Chiapas, México. Brady reminded me of my boyhood rural upbringing, where as children we built fantastic structures in the wood and also used the creek stones. Your blessed to live in such a beautiful region. Also it was good to see grandma helping and teaching you and your girls certain things that maybe you and Heather aren't yet sure of ,like gardening. I lived this episode. Bendiciones de Chiapas.
Unbelievable! All your adventures! Puppies, stone staircase, a spring! Lovely! God bless your endeavors!
Love the videos.
When I was living in Brazil, I did a pound just like yours.
If your walls are leaking, install a drain pipe on the lower spot inside the pond to keep pond dry. Work on seal wall and floor, let cement dry and pond should be leak free. Them plug the drain and let water fill it up. Good luck.
So glad to see you back. Missed you so much last week and prayed for you and hoped that nothing bad had happened. So great to see you new discovery of the spring and your plans to use this special commodity - water
Wildlife will appreciate the water 👍
Wow, this is so wonderful to see! If you leave the pond to become a natural pond you can make a really special ecosystem for the lower Alpine region. The riparian vegetation incl. mosses, flowers, waterplants which will surely grow will be beautiful and attract many invertebrates, birds and amphibians. The roots will also stablise the area and help retain water. So long as their are no fish, this could also become a vital spawning ground for amphibs - beautiful and vital! With the muddier upper side of the pond as a slope, flying insects and birds will use the mud to build nests and also spawn. Beetles and their spawn will also eat any mosquito larvae which may arrive. It may dry out in late summer, but this is natural and also vital for some species (which hibernate in the earth after drying).
If you make it into a heated pool, you would likely kill most living matter in the water with each heating and also could destabilise the construction. A pool would be cool of course, but I would say the natural pool carries proportionately far more benefits for nature and yourselves in the long run. Very glad to have found your channel, thank you!
Liebe Grüße aus Berlin
I loved the stories of you grandmother sending you care packages from home! When we liver abroad when i was a youngster, my grandmother also sent us care packages! I remember going through the content letter she included and saw what "import fees" were taken. 😁
Also have you ever tried s'mores with Girl Scout cookies? Using the shortbread cookies instead of the Gram crackers is sooooo yummy!
Also, I lead a scout troop and was wondering if your girls would like some pen pals? I remember how much i enjoyed getting letters in the mail back when i was younger.
I'm so envious with you guys. It must be so fantastic to wake up everyday with that beautiful view. I would love to see updates with the "hot tub" and the plants too. Watching from Philippines!!!
Wow you guys! Blessed beyond belief! Natural spring ! Wolves! Hearing your little girl say best day ever with a carload of wolf pups!!! I was already enjoying to yr channel more and more but it is turning out so amazing for you guys there! Can’t wait to see how things keep unfolding there
I missed you guys! It looks like you are having a lot of fun, mum and marshmallow are the perfect combination!☺ Those puppies are adorable and the hot tube/ irrigation system sounds amazing to me! See you next week!🤗
You should never suck on a hose, whether from a fuel tank or a dirty pond. Submerge the hose as much as you can in the pond, and pre-fill it with the liquid. Cover the out-flow end with your thumb and carry that end to below the cistern. The fluid will begin to flow naturally.
Why?
Oh wow what a beautiful experience. Your daughters will never forget those wolf pups.
That natural spring surrounding is magical. Good job !!!
It is so beautiful to have found the spring and developed it .❤❤❤❤❤
I'm in NY state and here if a pond is 3 feet deep with a natural base (not a plastic pond) then even when the top freezes in winter fish can survive over winter in it. We bought feeder fish from the petstore and they do a good job of eating the mosquito larvae and keeping our pond from being a mosquito breeding ground. we also put a couple of water plants in a pot on a ledge in our pond so that the fish have a little more to eat and it's pretty. Our plants are tropical so we bring them inside over winter. Our ponds are about the size of yours and we have a pump (which we use in warm weather) that moves the water from the bottom to the top. having a natural spring pond like yours is soo cool, I just wanted to tell you about ours and recommend that if mosquitoes are a thing in Italy that you consider prevention. best wishes.
I'm so glad you're clearing everything out of the gorge. It's wonderfully rewarding to see it cleaned up.
I enjoy watching you guys, I am a loyal watcher ❤ I am in love with your place, it’s a dream. A lot of work, but you guys got this! Your doing an amazing job on your own. God speed with all your endeavors. Greetings from Ft. Myers, Florida…The city of Palms! Can’t wait to your next video!!
I grew up in Cape Coral/Ft Myers! My father is still living in Ft Myers near the Thomas Edison home.🙂
This is amazing! 😮 I would continue the spring down into a natural pond to enjoy lower down. You can add pond plants native to the area that can naturally clean/filter the water. Native grass (long wild grass) can also help the ground and naturally create a spring. You can purchase some and add it around the spring to help.
I love all your videos, I just seat in my living room watching all your amazing adventures and fixing the cabin ❤❤❤, thank you for sharing it with all of us 😊😊😊❤❤
Nothing but respect for you Man. Helping out an animal like that says alot about your character. Much respect.
Given the fact how scarce the water is now those days, also in Northern Italy, you guys won a lottery with this spring. I'd say - garden, even if the hot tub sounds lovely :) And the story with the wolves - surreal!
Glad to see you guys. I was beginning to worry.
Thank you for letting us see your hard work and watching your family!
How special it is following your wonderful surprises and how wonderful it is finding histories during the process of putting your living area in the manner you wish it to be 😊❤...such a nice surrounding
What a beautiful area the spring is, fabulous area to chill nd relax, what a view xxx
The little glass bottle probabily was for Crodino or a fruit juice; since you dig it out, the bottle may be from several years ago when it was common to buy fruit juice in a glass bottle.
The natural spring and now the wolf puppies, nature magic is clearly happening around you! I really like the brick/donation idea, it's a super creative way for non-profits to fund raise.
Aww thank you so much for sharing this beautiful journey with us
Wow, what an episode! Opening up that spring AND wolf pups! Don't see how you can top this one. I applaud all your hard work and pray for your back! Was curious as to how you knew where the wolf puppie's house was. (I wondered if maybe their mom had planned that they all now live in Stella's old house.)
That was my thought, that she was leading the pups to a bigger (and dryer ?) den. The family was so tame that I wasn't convinced she was a wold at first, but someone's wandering dog or 1/2 wolf/ 1/2 dog ...until she growled and showed her teeth. I would have been terrified for the children. Some people do raise wolves however ...I wonder if humans feed her & the pups & that is why she doesn't immediately attack humans? However she looked awfully skinny ...al the more reason to watch the kids at all times ...& supply them with bear spray!
Il lupo italiano è una specie a parte e di taglia più piccola del lupo europeo , sicuramente è abituata agl umani , se no ti avrebbe attaccato subito con i cuccioli , il vero pericolo per le bimbe ma anche per gl adulti e il cinghiale
Just been enjoying your channel for the first time so I see some binge watching happening so I can catch up. Finding the spring is the perfect hot tub prospect because of the slow but steady flow of the spring. You can still use overflow to water the plants so a win win. I love the location, it is such a beautiful plot of land. Looking forward to the next installment. In the meantime, I will be catching up. Best wishes and stay safe J.
A natural spring great for irrigation for you plants! I am so enjoying seeing all you as a family are doing! Undertaking such a huge but worthwhile project! Invest now and reap the rewards for many years to come! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
You shouldn’t say that you don’t know how to be a model. You did a great job. Tap yourself on the back & believe in yourself. We (your audience) believe in you. 👏👏👏
Excellent episode!!! What a wonderful find for your family to enjoy 😊
Looks like a natural watercourse - any really heavy rain could wreck things. Be prepared !
Oh all that spring water and fresh wood. Safe and use it. A true blessing. Please teach your children about the safety of animal life for them and the animals.
Just clicked onto your channel and think what you have achieved is absolutely epic. Moving away to a foriegn country with two kids and undertake such an incredible project to renovate that barn to achieve that work life balance you ultimately want is awesome. I hope your dreams come true pal.
Wolf moms leave their pups in a protected place so they can go hunt food for them. You shouldn't bother them or handle them. She'll come back.
Read above. They are wolf dog hybrids that belong- live on the neighbors farm. The mom went back to the farm and the farmer was looking for the pups. Brady returned them to the farmer and the mom.
She took them to that location to keep them away from everybody. They nurse, so once or twice a day she goes to them to nurse. The pups peed out of fear from being removed from where Mom told them to stay for safety. The pups could get out on their own, if not it would have had poop everywhere. It was their hideout.
ques - when they are reunited would the mom know if one is missing? does she know them all by heart?
That’s exactly what I was going to say she only left them to go hunting
@@blakehahn-atlantaga8510 Abundantly clear the dogs were just a cross. The above commenter watched too much "Wild Kingdom" on television.
I have a home on some acerage. Long story short a stream emerged from 150 feet behind my property. I knew where it began and surmised it passed through my property. I ultimately began getting water in my crawl space. So I set about searching and figuring things out. Ultimately I was shocked to discover a shallow swell passing through my property and a few neighbors was on a different aquifer than surrounding homes. This aquifer was created 120 years ago from natural gas. There were about 25 well heads many of which were flowing but routed through tiling. I continued searching and found a map at the county from 1969 and there it was. My property as prairie and woods with not one, not two but three streams solely fed by water shed and springs. So now I'm preparing to finish up my 3/4 acre pond by building a stream, waterfall for filtration and stocking soon. It is awesome in the Bible Belt we get 90-100 degrees in the summer and my pond only reaches 70 degrees with a fully exposed surface. I've started plants and planted trees but it takes some time. I ultimately have a 15 inch inlet and a 6 inch inlet. I definitely have a good amount of flow 😆
Such a magical thing a Natural Spring! Water is Life on a property ! 🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s
What a beautiful natural terrace ❤ quite magical. Excited for more.
How lucky are you both to find a spring. You guys are so inspiring 😊
Just get a little local or professional information on wolves. You did manage it well and you do seem to know about animals. How wonderful to be able to experience this way of life.
Great idea about the tiny houses it would be a great place for a holiday or to live. But be mindful of the wildlife as they were there first. 👍🏾❤️
He is lucky the wolf mother didn't bit him or the rest of the pack came. They are dangerous and you shouldn't touch the puppies.
What natural wonders on your land, the pond would be needed for the garden in the Summer months, then hot tub in the Winter. Fox cubs cuteness overload 🦊 You daughter saying it was the best day of her life having the cubs in the car... was so sweet. 😊
Great video. Love the pool and your creative thinking. Great idea to use the pool to supply water to the garden and as a hot tub. I was so pleased when you installed the winch, no point risking injury.
That was amazing. What nice work you did on your spring pond
Are you a wolf whisperer? 😯 It was the coolest thing I've ever seen!
What a beautiful family and wondrous adventure. Be sure to check for radon levels in your stone house. Very important!
So lucky to find the natural spring. Amazing 🎉🎉🎉
What a nice bonding in family
Nowadays it is rare to see😊
Ok I absolutely love everything you guys do but after having cut down trees and moved rocks around I’m a little concerned about that shelf of rock directly above your new spring pond. It looks unstable and has a crack in the bottom layer. Just be careful
Awwww, hot spring or water fall? Is there a way you can use it for both ways?
It is beautiful what you all are doing. The adventures and memories the children will carry way into old age and share those stories with their children and grandchildren. How do ya'll feel about adopting a 60 yr old as a new child? Lol oh well, I will just have fun and live through your videos.
Much love to you and the family.
Wow, it looks beautiful! Lots of love to the whole family! ❤😊
Water is always a blessing and you create little paradise. This was exciting 🎉
Sent over from the Newbys. Your property and views are amazing. Can't wait to continue to watch your progress.
Me too! From Newby’s
Very impressed with the natural spring. Well done!
I love that when you get into a project you just go big, no half measures. It certainly looked like the spring area had a lot more structure in the past and it has degraded over time. I think using this for the garden etc will be invaluable and maybe in the summer months you’ll need a cold plunge pool, lol. I am sure you’ll figure out a way to do everything you want with this new pond area. Slightly scary wolf visit!
Wow~amazing job with the spring and new water hole, Brady! Your brain and brawn continue to amaze me. And btw, i can see your imprinting~you married a girl who looks so much like your mom! If I hadn't known better, I would have thought she was Heather's mother. Both of them are beautiful women.
I was thinking the same thing!
If you put clear white sand in the bottom you’d have a CRYSTAL CLEAR water hole.... also, don’t plug the leak, let it drain, just make sure the drain is high so the skin can run off
The water discovery and pool are pure genius.
What an epidose! I loved it. You have a lot going on down there. Have fun and keep up the good work. 👍
Letting that much water accumulate so high up could turn into a big issue with heavy rains. A sensible thing to do would be to contact the municipality and make sure you are allowed to build that as it could cause risk for the houses lower down
Que descoberta maravilhosa,uma fonte d'água 😊 num lugar incrível..um abraço família
My husband and I planning to visit Milan and lake Como around July 17-23. Wondering if we may visit you guys if possible. We are originally from Ukrainian and moved to Washington state in 1989. We love watching your new and unique way to start life in Italy.
You're a genius with contraptions to help the rock moving! That mama wolf looked fairly tame until the end.
Dont cut too many trees down around it, the tree roots stabilise the ground!
This is interesting. Did you check if you need any permits for that? Usually it is not allowed to interfere in natural water flows without permits, at least here in Slovenia, even if the spring is on your land.
You guys are adding so much to your future and longevity. That mountain is building in you all something you will use and never forget for as long as you live….truly!❤
It looks like that pit with the spring also serves as a drainage for the rain- and snowmelted water going down from the mountain. So during early spring, fall and heavy storms you may experience heavy flooding over there. I would'n rush with the hot tube, and let the spot survive a couple of storms and heavy rains to see the area.
Anyways, having a spring uphill your property is the blessing, you're so lucky with it.
For me your best vlog to date that I've watched. I hope you keep the swimming hole as natural to nature as possible but still do your swim in there and use it for the garden? May be one day you can build a smaller one higher up for a drinking reservoir for the home? But otherwise I believe your area gets so much yearly rain you will have enough for human consumption by other means? On the wolf, wow!! You were brave!! In Africa the wolf moms leave their babies often alone for long periods of time, but she will never do that in an unsafe place. She will always come back to that spot when it is feeding time or when she is ready for them. It looks like she is very confident that there are no predators that are a danger to her off-spring? They are very good mothers in Africa. One should interfere the minimum with them because they are wild animals and if they get too use to people they will incorporate you to their pack and if you don't comply to their pecking order and rules, you will be in great danger. I see you really helped them out in the barn. They were certainly stuck. That was good, otherwise she would've started to defend that place as her domain,. In Africa they can really be very dangerous and become a nuisance if you don't treat them according to the rules of wild animals. She looks like she is quite use to humans? Take care.
Keep it for the GARDEN! And let nature's critters use it. Time for humans to learn to share their environment with their fellow earthlings. You can build another catchment downstream for a heated pool or actual hot tub if you must.
Very beautiful pond and what a find. Hope the puppies is reunite with there mom. Love your video. ❤
How wonderful to hear the cuckoo. Haven't heard one in southern England, UK for about 2 years
Garden. You’ll need a good filtration system is you do a hot tub otherwise you’ll just be sitting in a ton of algae
Honestly I would call a geologist to let you know if there is any risk for your house and family to be digging soil and moving rocks as much as you have been doing. ❤
Stfu.. you worry too mich
I think 🤔 helpful..an expert knowledge in this type of landscape..can probably give allot of information..and probably good to know ! One way or other .. knowledge is good 👍
That is so gorgeous! What a beautiful place!
What a nice finding little waterfall nicely done
You usually don't disturb natural springs, hopefully you didn't move to much of nature. Wonderful place you've chose to live, love your house.
In Europe natural springs near human settlements are mostly drained and adapted as drinking sources for passers-by and animals or for other purposes (as in the present case)
They should sell it to a corporation.