The catchment area is the area that slopes towards a pond or lake. The simplest is to draw a line through all points on a map where the fall changes direction. For example along ridges. The area of this polygon can be calculated in many ways. The simplest will often be to use digital solutions, which are often built into digital maps. For example, Google Earth.
The catchment area of a pond or lake is the area of land that drains into the water body. To calculate the catchment area of a pond or lake, you will need to:
Determine the location and shape of the pond or lake. You will need a map or other reference material to identify the boundaries of the water body.
Identify the watershed that drains into the pond or lake. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a particular water body. The watershed can be identified by tracing the paths of the streams, rivers, and other water bodies that flow into the pond or lake.
Measure the area of the watershed. You can use a map or satellite imagery to measure the area of the watershed. Alternatively, you can divide the watershed into smaller areas and measure each one individually, then add up the total area.
Calculate the catchment area. To calculate the catchment area, you will need to add up the total area of the watershed and any other areas that drain directly into the pond or lake. This will give you the catchment area of the water body.
It is important to note that the catchment area of a pond or lake can vary depending on the location and topography of the area. Factors such as the slope of the land, the type of soil, and the presence of vegetation can all affect the catchment area of a water body.