How much water loss is expected in a pond?

Question
Hi,
We recently made a 3000 gallon water garden with a 5 foot dark red flagstone waterfall in our backyard. My question is I have to add 1" of water every day to the pond. Is it because of the waterfall that we loose that much water. It has direct sunlight and it has been in the high 80 degrees. Is this normal to have to add water every day?  I was hoping I don't have a leak anywhere but I see no moisture on the outside of the pond. Any advise will be helpful. Thanks  

Answer
Hi Dianne,
Thanx for your question.  Yes, a waterfall increases the amount of water that is evaporated into the atmosphere.  Additionally, the hotter it gets the more evaporation will take place.  I don't think you have a leak.  You may want to keep a large rain barrel near the pond and feed water from the rain barrel into the pond. Some people link one of their gutter drains to a large rain barrel and then pipe the water to the pond so they don't have to add tap water. I hope this helps.
Tom