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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 63
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 63 |
As some of you here know, next week I will be hiring someone to build my 1 1/2 acre pond. Therefore, I am looking for any last advice. So here is one last question.
Concerning your pond construction, and from what you have learned over the years, if you had a chance to do it all over again, what would you have changed?
Jack 1 acre pond in N.Alabama
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
I would have given as much attention to the outlet tube as I did the scraping and sealing. I was as ignorant as you can get, and if there's a big rain I'm gonna pay dearly.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 951 Likes: 39
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 951 Likes: 39 |
If I didn't have a drain in the bottom, I'd make sure I had the rest of the pond like I wanted before the dam was completed.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,081 Likes: 281
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,081 Likes: 281 |
Make sure it is cored.
Test the dirt before you spend the $.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 821
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 821 |
I would forget about fancy drainage systems and only have a earthen spillway + a drain pipe.
Gator
- Smoke 'em if you got 'em
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 542
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 542 |
I would have insisted that my contractor used a sheeps foot roller to ensure the soil was compacted correctly.
I would have done a better job on understanding my soil conditions.
I would have made the pond larger than I thought I wanted it. Each and every year since I have manually expanded it.
--------------------------------- 1/10 - 1/4 acre pond plus 16 ft deep/ Plus 40 ft by 20 ft by 6 ft deep koi and fathead minnow pond next to it. Upstate NY
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,025 Likes: 297
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,025 Likes: 297 |
I would have had some bottom structure built in while excavating.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 773 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 773 Likes: 1 |
My small 3/4 acre pond is only 5 to 8 feet deep when full. I should have made it deeper. With the drought over the last two years, it's droped over 4 feet!!!!
I put an island in it and now I think that was a mistake. It looks overgrown and doesn't add anything. I wouldn't do that again.
Eddie
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 93
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 93 |
Bigger. Bigger. Bigger. Deeper. Deeper. Deeper. Oh yeah, and before the final grade was cut and smoothed out I would have made a nice little concrete pad with an outlet and a hose bib. Toby
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 823
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 823 |
If I'd known how long it would take to fill the dang pond, I'd have left out the island...time will tell if it actually adds to the overall picture.
My "digger" convinced me to make the swimming area EXTREMELY shallowly sloped...a mistake, as now I've 25% less than 2 feet deep. Again, if it ever fills, I'll have good depth in this area, but for now, I fight pondweed and algae continuously.
I'd probably not add the hydrant below the pond...it's not added anything, and the water stinks to high heaven coming out, but it may pay off someday.
I'd have planned and budgeted for the dry hydrant in the second pond and not relied on the local FD to cough up the $$$ for it...as it's not gonna happen.
In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times. My wife figures I'm due to die any day now...
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 229
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 229 |
I'd put my large piles of trees at 90 degrees to the bank with fishing areas between them rather than parallel to the bank. Losing way to many lures.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 33
Member
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Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 33 |
Originally posted by Matt Clark:
I'd have planned and budgeted for the dry hydrant in the second pond and not relied on the local FD to cough up the $$$ for it...as it's not gonna happen. [/QB] Matt, Our local Fire Dept. was allocated Federal funds for dry hydrants in private ponds. As far as I know the Federal program still has funds for this purpose. It might be worth your while to research this. Our area is rural with few water mains and hydrants serving it. That might be pertinent to accessing the funds. Our FD dept. requires a pumper or tanker truck has access to the pond, meaning an improved road close to the pond with room to turn around. My hydrant was installed Jun. 2005 and didn't cost me anything. I did make a donation to the dept. to buy Christmas gifts for our volunteer fire fighters. It sure helped on my home owners insurance payments.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 823
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 823 |
Hey Tim:
I offered them any access they wanted, I'd blade up a lane for turnaround (plenty of space and 60x100 feet of gravel already) and I'd HAVE to maintaine it, as it faces the house and we'd look at it every day...or so tells me the wife. 8^)
It just seems that the FD doesn't have anyone with enough time/giddyup to actually fill out the grant forms. I don't believe I'm allowed to do it...chief (friend of mine) says "maybe next year, if the money's still available".
Not sure if better half will allow that, as the area's now seeded and looking good. Kind of hard to dig and lay the pipe deep enough after the pond's full...we'll see if this winter/next spring fills the hole. If not, maybe...
In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times. My wife figures I'm due to die any day now...
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