I have heard bits and pieces about the NRCS helping to get $$ to pay for pond construction but lack a clear understanding of these programs. I'd appreciate anyone's experience with these programs. All of the ponds i have built have been for industrial uses and did not involve the nrcs. Thanks

Last I asked about this was back in 08 and the programs where discontinued. Doesn't hurt to call and ask your local NRCS.

What I was told by the nrcs is they may pay for them. But they have to be for livestock or farming and the pond has to be a percentage of the size of land. That was at least in arkansasm

They did one for me about 10 or so years ago on a cost sharing basis. Erosion control was the key to the deal. It is my understanding that it has been discontinued due to other "priorities".

It depends on the size of the project and potential benefits downstream too. I am not sure if the programs still exist or not.

I did one about 3 or 4 years ago for a Live stock pond with NRCS. They pay so much per yard of dirt. If you ask me its a joke. Because you have to build the pond to there requirements but they are only going to pay for a percentage of the cost. When it was all said and done I wish that I would've just payed for it 100% myself. Id bet that it would've cost me the same. But the NRCS will help you lay out a pond and give you an idea of what kinds of soil you have at different depths free of charge.

Thanks all

This is the same experience I have had when trying to do government "cost share" programs. I wanted to build a litter (manure for poultry) shed once but the state engineers wanted to build a Wal-Mart building, with all the specified bends just so in the concrete footings. I ended up just doing what I wanted on my own. It was just going to end up being a big boondogle at the taxpayers expense, so I skipped it. Have not ever applied for cost share again. Use their free services though as our NRCS guy is a stand up guy (shed was a different agency, not NRCS).

I had a 2 acre pond built in oct 2012, all designed by nrcs and received 50 percent cost share. You do have to meet certain requirements. There main goal is soil conservation and wildlife habitat . They could care less about recreation use. The problem with these programs is there is limited $ available . I first applied in 2011 and was rejected because other projects scored higher in soil conservation and there was limited dollars available. I reapplied in 2012 and was accepted mostly because very few applied due to high grain prices and not wanting to take land out of production. So for me it was a no brainer I got a 2 acre pond for 1/2 price. I'm also planting 1100 trees and bushes this spring around the pond and nrcs pays 90% of the cost. I'm in Iowa and so I have no idea what happens In other states.