Hi
I keep an above ground 5x10x3 deep pool on the south side as well as a 3x7 in the shadehouse ,5x7 tropical marsh garden. They do get warm but with tropical plants and fish no problem. In fact you'll have more problem with cold. You can put one in the shade but generally the more sun the better the growth. Also there is the problem of leaf drop.
2 Are you saying the current drought is NEVER going to end ?lol. Actually overflow is more of a problem during the warm months. Evaporation is more of a winter problem.
A built in top off system would be great but not necessary depending on what ma nature decides to do.??
3 Though you can certainly keep goldfish and Koi tropial fish do much better particularly with the heat. You will have a winter problem with some species. I keep my above ground heated during winter,mostly for the fish but it does keep the tropical lilies in continuous flower year around but certainly not necessary.
Have never run ponds in colder climes but I'd take continuous heat over snow and ice any day lol
gary

The sage advice from Gary (above) is good for all south Florida gardeners planning to install a pond. These photos show parts of the ponds we installed in the large (36' x 60') screened enclosure in our own Florida garden. It's in Naples (Zone 10b), where we carefully chose a location whose water table is deep enough so that our garden is never flooded, even in the rainiest summer season. We top off the water level about once a month, only in the dry winter season. The screen cage keeps out any falling leaves, and minimizes excess heat in the hottest days of summer. (Clicking on each photo will enlarge it to show greater details.)The ponds we installed were added solely for their attractive features, giving us the opportunity to admire dozens of species of underwater and floating aquatic plants. The blooming water lilies, papyrus, lotus, pickerel reeds and other flowering plants have added a high value to our property. The lively movements of the hundreds of goldfish and other fish species swimming through the aquatic vegetation further enhance the beauty of the ponds. We haven't added any koi because of their voracious appetite for water plants.

The screened enclosure protects the fish from being eaten by the beautiful but hungry herons, egrets and other predatory birds flying overhead. The enclosure also serves as a pool cage over our swimming pool, covering our 24' x 36' patio and the well-planted garden area within the enclosure. It creates our own outdoor dining area which we use every day, protected from any mosquitos. We also hold free gardening classes beside the ponds for members and visitors of our Gardeners of Southwest Florida group.

The two-hour classes are given on weekends two or three times a month throughout the year, often taught by professional horticulturists. They're also held in the gardens of many of the other members of the group, so that those who attend can see each host's favorite plants and gardening techniques. Everything in the group is free: membership, classes, plant exchanges, snacks, drinks, etc. Over 1,300 families with gardens around Naples and Fort Myers are current members of the group, and more are always welcome.

Anyone wanting to learn about creating ponds, choosing appropriate aquatic plants and fish, and many other techniques of gardening in this semi-tropical area of Florida can instantly join the Gardeners of Southwest Florida group for free, with no obligation. Hundreds of photos and full details of the 123 previous classes and upcoming classes are available on the group's extensive and informative website at www.meetup.com/FloridaGardeners.

Shown above: Group co-leader Peter Kacalanos, tending to a stand of cattails.