Having a new pond built~

barnyardgal · #1 08/02/12, 05:54 AM

Anything i should know or not know or what to do?? The dozer guy will start next week..said he will be here for 2 days at least..no trees to move just dirt to make a pond..

I want to build a dock after it is done,any ideas for that??

Thanks~~

pheasantplucker · #2 08/02/12, 06:03 AM

Has he done test holes? Do you know the composition of your existing soil? Do you have a specific plan as far as shape and depth, or are you going to allow him to "wing it"? Does your dozer guy have prior experience? Have you gotten several opinions and estimates? I'd opt for a minimum depth of at least 8 feet. Nice to have one end somewhat shallow and the end near the dam deeper. I'd opt for an irregular shape. I'd also aerate a pond if I was going to have one, to keep water from becoming stagnant, reduces mosquitoes, allows fish to be more oxygenated, etc. Deeper pond gives fish a better chance of surviving freezing weather. The bigger the better. Good luck.

Awnry Abe · #3 08/02/12, 06:42 AM

If you have large bed rock, that is to be avoided. I would not recommend just damming up a small dry creek bed, for example. Clay is your friend. I also wish I had a way of knowing where the end of the irrigation line is in our lake.

fishhead · #4 08/02/12, 07:07 AM

To keep weeds like cattails from taking over your shoreline have the slope next to the shore 3:1 or 4:1 down to 3' deep if your soil is stable enough but keep in mind that it makes it dangerous for small kids.

motdaugrnds · #5 08/02/12, 07:50 AM

Did you check the legalities of excavating a pond in that area? It just might be that you need permits!

salmonslayer · #6 08/02/12, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

Did you check the legalities of excavating a pond in that area? It just might be that you need permits!

No permits needed in most of Missouri unless your directly affecting a navigable waterway or drainage right of ways. You can build a house out of super glue and beer cans and the only permit required is the federally mandated septic permit and thats often ignored if your back in a holler and cant be seen.

Getting a perk test is a good idea though; we just had a local farmer try to build a huge pond and what he ended up with was a gravel pit and an eye sore.

We are building a floating dock for our pond because the level fluctuates, you can use recycled material or go all out on purpose built floats depending on how fancy you want to get. The aeration suggestion is a good one also, we are putting up a windmill aerator on a 22 foot tower to aerate ours.