Pronunciation: [pˈɒndɪd͡ʒ] (IPA) 
The word "pondage" refers to the water that is contained within a pond or a reservoir. It is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈpɑːndɪdʒ/. The first syllable "pon" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by a "d" consonant sound. The second syllable features a short "i" vowel sound, followed by a soft "j" consonant sound, and is stressed. In summary, "pondage" is spelled phonetically as /ˈpɑːndɪdʒ/.
Pondage is a noun that refers to a system or process of impounding water or creating a reservoir by constructing a pond or dam. It is derived from the word "pond," which is an artificially created body of water that is typically smaller than a lake.
In the context of civil engineering and water management, pondage is often used to describe the capacity or volume of water that can be stored in a reservoir or pond. It is a measure of the amount of water that can be held back or impounded by a dam or similar structure, usually for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, or water supply purposes.
Pondage can also be used to signify the act of controlling the flow of water through a system by utilizing ponds or reservoirs. This can involve diverting streams or rivers into ponds or storing water during periods of high flow, which can then be gradually released as needed.
In the context of water rights and usage, pondage can sometimes refer to a fee or charge that is levied upon water users who rely on a reservoir or pond for their water supply. It can also be associated with the maintenance and upkeep of ponds, reservoirs, or dams.
Overall, pondage encompasses the process of creating and managing water reservoirs, the capacities of these reservoirs, and the associated fees or charges related to their usage.
The word "pondage" has a relatively straightforward etymology. It is derived from the noun "pond", which ultimately traces back to the Old English word "pond" or "pund" meaning an artificial water reservoir or enclosed body of water. This Old English term itself is related to the Middle Dutch word "pont" and the Old High German word "phunt", both meaning a dam or barrier. The suffix "-age" is a noun-forming suffix borrowed from Old French and ultimately stems from the Latin suffix "-aticum" or "-agium", indicating a state or condition. Thus, "pondage" is formed by adding "-age" to the word "pond", and it refers to the state or condition of having a pond or being regulated by a pond.
