I am looking to start a stock tank construction business. I am looking for any advice or techniques on how to properly grade the tank bottom as well as the dam. I know the order in which different types of material go into constructing the dam and compacting, but I would like to know things like how wide does the toe need to be vs. how wide the crown should be in relation to how much water the tank will hold. I just got out of the navy and I am looking to start this small business. Any information or advice would be most appreciated.

This might be helpful.

NRCS Field Guide

Also check on the Pond Boss Magazine online store. Take a look at the books available. Mike Otto likely has some stuff worth knowing about construction.

Books

Yep, Otto wrote the Bible. "Just Add Water"

Kapem well first things first...on this Memorial Day Weekend...thank you for your service to the country....and secondly where in Texas are you?

Thanks , I read most of the NCRS guide it has a lot of information on contracts and how to write them up, I couldn't find anything that answered my first question which was (in another way of asking). Is there a formula for determining the width of the bottom of the dam and the top part of the dam in proportion to the water capacity of the pond .

Thank you for that, I live in east Texas

Kapem,
If you reference page 45 and 46 in the Ponds, Planning, Designs, Construction it discusses recommended top widths based on the height of your dam not necessarily acre feet of water in the pond. Also has recommendations for dam slopes based on what type of soil is being used. If you know the dam height, top width, and slope, the base should be relatively easy to calculate. There is a note in the pages that recommends minimum of 16ft top width if you are using as a roadway or driveway. I think this answers your question. I would still recommend reading "Just Add Water." The USDA guide is a great technical document especially when having to deal with local/federal permitting. Mike's book is 40+ years of experience that the USDA guide will never be able to replicate.

Kapem, welcome to Pond Boss.

The only actual formula I know of is a 3 to 1 slope. And, that's not cast in stone. It involves safety, being able to climb out, more than anything else. As we usually say here, it all depends. A larger pond might be something that the top needs to be wide enough to drive a pickup across. A small pond; maybe not so much. It all depends on the owners goals, $, and conditions. The biggest condition regarding the top is probably the drainage area.

Most of your questions are answered in Otto's book. I have it and have read it twice. I think I would contact Mike and sit down with him asking questions. BTW, Mike says all earthen dams leak to some extent. Soil plasticity is a huge factor but you probably know that.

Please take what I'm about to say in the spirit that is intended. You're asking the right questions and doing your research. I like that.

My larger pond, about 1.5 to 2 acres, was built by a guy who could make a dozer either waltz or tap dance. But it was his first pond. It was also my first pond. It leaks badly due to his and my inexperience. Like a lot of other things, experience counts and I'll not make that mistake again.

And, building a pond/tank/water hole to water cattle is hugely different than building a home for fish.