Hi all!
An opportunity rushed my plan for a pond! A newly retired neighbor with a new toy (an excavator) heard of my desire for a pond. The next weekend, he was here digging a big hole! LOL! We did a test hole of about 20x30' at about 12' deep in the center. I have a spring that produces about 2 gallons/minute, so I ran a pipe to it from the spring and let it start filling to see what it would do...It took about 3 weeks, but it was definately filling. About 1/2" every 3 or 4 days, but it was coming up. I figure I will need a liner or some spray liner???Anyway, I'm pretty confident of my water source, so we're going for it. Go big or go home...right? LOL
Not as big as most of the pond folks on the forum, but big for my little valley. I'm going about 30' x 70' area x approx 12' deep. I'm hoping to be able to raise a few fish, but aesthetics is the main goal.
Ordered my "standard reading" books: "Nice Pond, want one", and "Just add water", but need some quick research! I'll be asking a lot of dumb questions and searching the archives! So glad I found this site!

Steve Davison
Montana pond newbie

I recommend going to the commonly asked q&a section and read that over. Full of valuable info. Welcome.

Thanks NEDOC! Will do! So overwhelming. So much to learn.
What a can of worms I've opened! LOL!

Steve, welcome to PB. You might be our first poster from Montana.

Thanks Dave!
That surprises me!
I've been scouring the archives, (thanks for the google search hint
I'm going to figure out how to send some pictures and get some input.
Also...FREE boulders for anyone that wants them! LOL

Thanks Steve but I have my own rocks.

Where are you in MT? Are you going for trout or warm water fish?


I would love the rocks!!hehe

I think there is a former race cAR driver from Charleston SC with a home and cutthroat pond in Montana that did some research here for it but I don't know if he ever posted.

Heya Fishm_n!
My excavator is SICK of the rocks! LOL
Just hit another that is not moving...about 12' square on the top, and who knows how deep...it's going to stay there! LOL
I'm just south of Helena...5000 ft elevation, so long, cold, snowy winters. We'll get 100+ inches of snow and there will be 2-3'where the pond is from January through May. Worried about sunlight.
I'm thinking YP (yellow perch?) might have a better shot than trout, if it's even possible. My pond is next to a ridge just to the south, so the sunlight will be really low...even in summer it would get only 5-7 hours max. Winter sun will be basically nill. I've decided I really need to do the Bentonite plan, rather than try a liner, from reading the archives...sounds a lot more reliable if it takes.
Ah, the anticipation is killing me!

I'd talk to TJ here on the forum about SoilFloc instead of bentonite.

Nobody that I know of has had long term success with bentonite.

Cool beans! So do you hammer the walleye at Kanyon ferry?

Curious if you have thought about adding a burbot or two? When I travel by I'd love to come take a look. Not sure on the dates but may lion hunt with some friends out of townsend. That rock sounds like some awsome structure.

I wondered about SoilFloc! I'll look into it some more..Thanks esshup!
Hey Fishm_n! Yeah! I'm hitting Canyon Ferry and Hauser for walleye! Been a bit slow this year. ; Not sure Fish wildlife would let me do burbot, since there is a freshwater creek below me that MAY flow into. It would be nice, but I don't think my pond will be big enough.
I've hunted Townsend area my whole life! We'll have to compare notes!
Love to show off the little pond next time you're in the neighborhood! LOL..small world!

Keep on fishin'!

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your pond project! Liner is most permanent fix IMO, however be prepared to spend $2.00 - $2.50/sq ft including installation, if not more. Depending on the size of your pond, that can add up in a hurry.

Plating clay in 6" lifts up to 24" over your rock can also work. Imperative your core trench has no rock in it - must be made with good clay with high plasticity.

If you want to apply sealant products dry to pond basin, bentonite and Soilfloc have been used successfully together, and Soilfloc alone without bentonite. Feel free to reach out and I'm happy to try and help outline your options above.

Thanks teehjaeh!
I was going to go with a liner, but here are my concerns:

I have 3 BIG boulders sticking up that are not moving without dynomite...can't imagine trying to go around with liner.

Also, we have deer, elk and an occasional moose. I've heard horror stories about their hooves breaking through?


I haven't found HOW SoilFloc works on a new pond? Do you fill as much as you can, add the product, fill some more, add product, etc..etc..?
I imagine compacting is still important?

Thanks!

Steve

Not a liner expert, but I know fine grooming of basin and sidewalls is necessary in order to remove any risks of punctures. I'm guessing boulders would need to be plated with clay, at least 6-12", in order to make liner install safe.

I don't believe deer would pose a liner puncture threat, but Moose and Elk are another matter entirely. Those are much larger critters! I would definitely fence the area if going with a liner and those animals are risks to visit.

Got your PM - will respond.