6 Best High Volume Pumps For Draining Large Ponds Landowners Trust
Draining a large pond requires a powerful pump. We review 6 trusted high-volume models, comparing flow rate and durability to help you choose the best.
That pond at the back of your property looked great a decade ago, but now it’s a murky, algae-choked mess that needs a hard reset. Or maybe spring melt has turned your lower pasture into a temporary lake. When you need to move a serious amount of water, and fast, your little utility pump isn’t going to cut it.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Trash Pumps vs. Dewatering: What’s the Difference?
Let’s get the most important distinction out of the way first. A dewatering pump is designed for moving relatively clean water. Think of draining a swimming pool or a flooded basement where the water is mostly free of debris. They are efficient but have very tight tolerances inside, meaning even small pebbles or leaves can clog and destroy them.
A trash pump, on the other hand, is built for the nasty stuff. It has a specially designed impeller and a wider discharge opening that allows it to pass solids like mud, algae, leaves, and twigs without clogging. If you’re draining a pond, a ditch, or a muddy construction site, a trash pump is the only real option.
Trying to use a dewatering pump on a typical pond is a recipe for frustration. You’ll spend more time clearing clogs from the intake screen than you will actually pumping water. The abrasive sand and grit will also wear out the pump’s seals and impeller in short order. Don’t make an expensive mistake—match the pump to the water quality.
Honda WT30X: The Reliable Gas-Powered Workhorse
When you see a red pump on a job site or farm, there’s a good chance it’s a Honda. The WT30X is a 3-inch trash pump that has earned a legendary reputation for starting on the first or second pull, even after sitting all winter. Its commercial-grade GX engine is the heart of its reliability, providing consistent power you can count on when you’re far from the workshop.
This pump is all about performance. The 3-inch intake and discharge ports can move up to 319 gallons per minute, and it’s rated to handle solids up to 1 1/16 inches in diameter. That’s more than enough for the sticks, heavy leaf sludge, and muck at the bottom of most ponds. The cast iron volute and impeller are built to withstand the abrasion that comes with pumping dirty water.
The tradeoff is that it’s a gas engine. It’s heavy, loud, and requires you to have fresh fuel on hand. But for a pond at the far end of your property where running an extension cord is impossible, that self-contained power is exactly what you need. It offers true portability and serious performance.
Wayne WTSP50: Top Submersible Trash Pump Choice
If you have power near your pond, a submersible pump like the Wayne WTSP50 is an excellent choice. Unlike gas pumps that sit on the bank with a suction hose, you simply lower this unit directly into the water. This eliminates priming issues and makes setup incredibly simple.
The WTSP50 stands out because it’s a submersible trash pump, a less common but highly effective category. It can handle spherical solids up to a massive 2 inches in diameter, which is better than many engine-driven pumps. It’s also much quieter than a gas engine, a major benefit if you’re working near your home or neighbors.
The obvious limitation is the power cord. You are tethered to an outlet, and you’ll need a properly-rated, heavy-gauge extension cord to prevent voltage drop over a long distance. But for draining large water features, stock tanks, or ponds close to a barn or house, the quiet, fume-free operation is a massive advantage.
Generac ST20K: High-Flow for Tough Debris Jobs
Get whole-house power protection during outages with the Generac Guardian 22kW generator. It features remote monitoring via WiFi and a durable, all-aluminum enclosure for lasting performance.
Generac is a trusted name in power equipment, and their ST20K semi-trash pump lives up to the reputation. This 2-inch pump is a fantastic middle-ground option. It’s designed for water with some sand, grit, and small solids—dirtier than a dewatering pump can handle, but maybe not as thick as the sludge at the bottom of a 50-year-old pond.
Where this pump shines is in its flow rate and durability for the price. It features a silicon carbide mechanical seal, which is highly resistant to wear from abrasive materials, giving it a longer service life in tough conditions. The large, 2-inch port moves a lot of water quickly, making it ideal for dewatering flooded fields or large retention areas where speed is a priority.
Think of the ST20K as the perfect tool for moving large volumes of moderately dirty water. It doesn’t have the massive solids-handling capacity of a dedicated 3-inch trash pump, but it’s more robust and capable than a standard dewatering pump. For many landowners, it hits the sweet spot of power, durability, and cost.
Tsurumi EPT3-80X: Professional-Grade Pumping Power
If you rely on a pump for your livelihood or simply believe in buying equipment that will last a lifetime, Tsurumi is a brand you need to know. They are a top choice for contractors and rental companies for one reason: they are built to endure abuse. The EPT3-80X is an engine-driven trash pump that exemplifies this philosophy.
The difference is in the materials. Tsurumi uses components like a high-chrome cast iron impeller and a ductile iron volute plate with a silicon carbide seal. These are premium, wear-resistant materials that stand up to the constant abrasion of sand and grit far better than standard components. This is the pump you buy when you plan to use it often and in the harshest conditions imaginable.
Of course, this professional-grade construction comes at a higher price point. For a single pond-draining project, it may be overkill. But if you’re managing multiple properties, dealing with frequent drainage issues, or running a small landscaping business, the long-term reliability and reduced downtime can easily justify the initial investment.
Wacker Neuson PT 3: Built for Contractor Durability
Much like Tsurumi, Wacker Neuson is a name you’ll see on commercial construction and dewatering sites. Their PT 3 series of trash pumps are designed from the ground up for heavy, continuous use in unforgiving environments. They are encased in a heavy-duty steel frame to protect the engine and pump components from the inevitable bumps and drops of fieldwork.
These pumps are engineered for performance and serviceability. They feature high-quality engines and pump ends with hardened iron components to resist wear. A key design feature is often ease of maintenance; many models allow for quick cleanout of the pump casing without tools, which is a huge time-saver when you inevitably suck up something you shouldn’t have.
The PT 3 is an investment in uptime. It’s built for the person who can’t afford for their equipment to fail in the middle of a critical job. For the average landowner, it might be more pump than you need, but for those with large-scale or recurring water management challenges, its rugged dependability is worth every penny.
Superior Pump 93501: Versatile Submersible Option
Not every job requires a gas-powered trash pump. For many high-volume tasks around the farm, a powerful submersible utility pump like the Superior Pump 93501 is a more practical solution. This pump is a workhorse for moving large amounts of relatively clean water, such as draining a large stock tank, a waterlogged garden, or a flooded outbuilding.
While not a true trash pump, it can handle small solids up to 3/8-inch, making it more versatile than a standard sump pump. Its thermoplastic construction keeps it lightweight and corrosion-resistant. With a 1.5-inch discharge, it can move thousands of gallons per hour, emptying large volumes surprisingly quickly.
This pump represents a fantastic balance of performance and value. It’s the perfect tool for someone who needs to move a lot of water but doesn’t need the extreme solids-handling capability (or cost) of a dedicated trash pump. Having one of these on hand can turn a potential flooding disaster into a manageable inconvenience.
Key Features: Intake Size, GPM, and Total Head
When comparing pumps, three specs matter more than anything else. First is Intake/Discharge Size. This is usually 2, 3, or 4 inches. A 3-inch pump moves significantly more water than a 2-inch one, but the hoses are also much heavier and harder to manage.
Second is GPM (Gallons Per Minute). This is the maximum flow rate on level ground. A higher GPM means the job gets done faster. To drain a 20,000-gallon pond, a 400 GPM pump will take under an hour, while a 150 GPM pump will take over two hours. That time difference is significant.
Finally, and most critically, is Total Head. This is the maximum vertical height the pump can push water, accounting for both the actual elevation change and friction loss from the hose length. If your pond is 15 feet below the discharge area and you’re using 100 feet of hose, you need a pump with a "total head lift" rating well above that to get any meaningful flow. Ignoring total head is the most common reason people buy a pump that’s too weak for their property.
The best pump isn’t the one with the biggest engine or the highest GPM; it’s the one that correctly matches your specific situation. Consider the type of water, the power availability, and the elevation of your land. Choosing the right tool from the start saves you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.
