I have been lurking in the background but finally decided to start asking some questions.

I have been thinking about building a pond on my property for a while, how soon is too soon to be contacting the local NRCS office? I dont plan on doing anything with the pond for a little over a year.

I have read where there are dirt movers and pond builders. I know an excellent dirt mover who has been in the business of moving dirt for years. I know he would do great work and at a very reasonable rate. Has anyone ever found a pond builder that would just supervise a project or give advice into how things should be prepared and built?

Thanks
Dave

I've never heard of one.

Get in touch with the NRCS as soon as possible to begin your planning phase. They'll design the dam, calculate volumes of dirt that need to be moved and help you. Do it now, because those folks are typically overworked, hard to schedule and need the lead time nowadays.

Just because you know an excellent dirt mover doesn't mean he needs to do the work. I know a pilot, but wouldn't dare want him in control of a jumbo jet. Experience pays, even if it costs more.

If you choose to pursue your dirt mover to do the work, then I'd call Mike Otto for consultation. He's been a great lake builder for more than 40 years. If he can't convey good knowledge to your favored, no one can.

Maybe they do this where you live, but my NRCS office says they do not have the time.

My NRCS guy stays pretty busy but he still took time to design our main pond.

First involved an office visit where we stopped by and let him lnow the are of the property we desired the pond.

Over a couple weeks he came up with a preliminary design based on his digitized elevation maps with several optional water lines for different pond sizes and estimated yards of dirt to move for each size.

We chose a size, he did the final design work, and in a week or two came out and flagged the pond area and gave us a set of plans. We built the pond ourselves (3.1 acres) and had our own laser level so that was the last we needed him.

We have a guy that has been around working with farmers a long time and is a good guy. He has to be getting close to retirement, so who knows if we will get someone as good when he retires. Or someone at all.

Thanks for all the information. I will definitely get in touch with the NRCS office very soon. I believe there is actually a small NRCS office in my town that I can go to.

I am leaning toward using the dirt moving but will see what pond builders I have in the area. I will see what they will charge to build the damn / Pond that I would like. I will for sure call Mr. Otto for consultation if I go with the dirt mover. I don't expect his help for free, I will gladly pay him if it comes to it.

I have to get a logging company in to log out some timber, hoping that will help offset some of the cost for this pond.

Once again thanks for all the input, I do greatly appreciate it.