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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
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OP
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1 |
New user here, I don't know where to post this, but I have a few questions....
I have 40 acres in NE Oklahoma and I am looking to have a new pond built behind my house. Around 1/2 acre in size.
Basically we want something we can fish in and to house some ducks and possibly geese later on. But also just something to sit on the side of and watch the sun go down.
Our land is clay soil with poor drainage. We actually have a pond now that is about 60x60 feet but it doesn't hold water well as the guy who dug it didn't do it properly. He just dug a hole in the ground because he needed the soil to build our house pad. Now we are wanting to fix it so it will hold water and we are also expanding it to about a half acre (120' x 200').
What should we take into account for? Also what types of fish could we stock and expect to survive/thrive? I'm new to this and would love any advice. We are meeting with excavators the next few weeks to get bids. The first we've received was $8000, but we are meeting with a few more in the next few days.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
First, welcome to Pond Boss.
What kind of soil does it have? You generally need loam which is about 60 to 65% clay. Sand doesn't hold water and 100% clay dries, breaks and cracks. Dig test holes to find out what's underground. Make sure that a proper core trench is dug or it will leak forever. Make sure that the excavator has pond experience. There is no shortage of dozer drivers who can cut grade, clear brush and push things around. If he doesn't know what a core trench, also called a keyway is, move on to the next guy.
Do your homework. Learn about pond building before you sink a lot of cash. Buy Mike Otto's book, "Just Add Water". Less costly than relying on a dozer guy to do your thinking for you.
Duck and geese ponds are rarely suitable for fish. They leave their droppings everywhere they go and can/do foul the water pretty quickly. It's kind of a either/or deal.
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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