Design and plan for an aquaculture research center in Colombia

1. Soil has adequate clay content to allow construction of earthen ponds with a minimal amount of water seepage providing good pond construction methods are followed. 2. Water is available in quantity and at low cost from the COMPRESA Irrigation Project. A lateral irrigation canal immediately adjacent to the proposed site can supply a total of 2,500 mE3/hour (11,000 gal/min) to the aquaculture station. This is certainly adequate to fill any number of ponds that could be constructed on this site and maintain proper water levels even during the dry season when water loss through evaporation and seepage is high. 3. Size of area, approximately 19 hectares, is adequate for an initial development of an experimental pond complex of approximately 10 hectares, which normally is the minimal size suitable for an effective aquaculture research program. The remaining land area is sufficient in size to accommodate the various buildings needed to support the experimental pond complex and still provide area for future pond expansion when this is needed.