Hey ya'll I just signed up and I may or may not be sticking around. I am looking to buy some property with a 2 acre pond on it already. Even if I don't buy that bit of property I am looking to buy some property with a few acres so I can build a pond. So I will be lurking around reading posts and trying to suck the brains here dry.
Alright because I am interested in the place and have talked to the realtor recently I am posting a video she sent me of the pond as well as copying an email that has some of the information she has on the pond as well.
Quote:
The Lake is a natural spring fed. According to the owners, The county came in years ago and put in 2 different pipes that feed the overflow to the ponds located behind the lake and into the wetlands to the East if the property. I have been told the property has not flooded, at least during the current owners duration…since 1965, I would imagine that the pipes have kept the lake at its height to deter that. Lake is approx. 8-10 feet deep and the County considers that a very healthy depth for fishing, swimming, ect…The owners have grown up doing all those activities in the lake but since the passing of the parents, they do not know the current status of fish population. While alive however, the parents kept a variety of fish in the lake and there is even a ‘nursery’ for fingerlings.
Property is zoned ‘RR’ or Rural Residential and County has said that additional homes can be built on property.
But the only prohibition would be if someone wanted to drain the lake. Which would not be allowed.
If you get serious about the above property, be sure to verify the maximun depth with a weighted line from a boat or 'floaty thing' and swim suit. Don't buy a pond that is 4-6 ft deep without getting a discount for deepening and fixing the pond. A little angling with permission from the realtor or owner would also be a good idea.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
Hey thanks for the replies. Now I have a couple of questions.
So how deep is deep enough? Is six foot not deep enough? Or are you both just refering to the purchase of the pond? I am looking at not just the pond but the land and house around it as well.
I must say that I guess I can "sacrifice" some time to go check the water out with a rod and reel and see what is in the pond.
One of the other good things is the some or all of the kids live in the local area so most likely if I have some questions they will be willing to answer them if they can.
Keep some of the tips flying though as I want to know what to ask the realtor or what to look at with the pond so I know if it is a good deal or not.
6' not deep enough. I'd say 50% of the pond should be 8' deep, 10' would be even better.
Shallower pond = potential more plant growth over more of the pond area, less water for fish to weather rapid temp changes, and less water volume = less available O2 for the fish during times of low O2.
Hey ya'll I just signed up and I may or may not be sticking around. I am looking to buy some property with a 2 acre pond on it already. Even if I don't buy that bit of property I am looking to buy some property with a few acres so I can build a pond. So I will be lurking around reading posts and trying to suck the brains here dry.
NickyB
Is that a threat? c'mon stick around you'll like it!
Ps Nicky you're living in a beautiful part of the world and a fishermans dream! Bass pond in your backyard with Perdido Bay, a Driver and 8-iron away!
Last edited by findfoolfight; 02/21/1106:57 AM.
" EVERY DAY I'M AMAZED BY HOW MANY THINGS I DON'T KNOW AND HOW MUCH STUFF I DON'T UNDERSTAND"
In northern ponds with a higher probability for winter kill, the deeper the pond the better. With you being in FL where winter kill isn't an issue, I would say as long as you have a good area of water around 6', you are good. Much of the year in FL, your pond will be stratified and the deeper areas of the pond will be of no value anyways. Now if you use an aerator, that can change. Even then I don't think deeper pond in the far south are necessary for most goals. Particularly for a LMB/BG pond.
As far as the aquatic vegetation infestation, walk the edge of the pond and try to determine the slope of it as it goes into the pond. A fairly steep slope would be ideal limiting the amount of shallow water and reducing the growth of shoreline aquatics like cattails as well as submerged aquatic vegetation. A 2:1 slope is ideal.
One is homeowners/liability insurance in a semi urban area. You mention local kids so that may be a concern as an attractive nuisance.
Another is the no draining covenant. If you need to work on it, it might have to be drained and that could be a hurdle to overcome. It "may" have started out as 8 to 10 ft but, over time, all ponds fill in from natural runoff. Look at the lay of the land to ascertain the natural runoff area. Just why was the pond built at governmental expense? What problem had to be overcome and what did it solve for other people?
As stated, check the depths yourself to assure that it is really 6 ft deep. In other words, trust but verify.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 02/21/1109:20 AM.
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
Keep some of the tips flying though as I want to know what to ask the realtor
Welcome to PondBoss. If you purchase this property I advise you get a subscription to PondBoss Magazine. The magazine is full of great info for pond owners. If you decide you want this property be sure and make a "ridiculous" offer. It is a buyers market like we've never seen before. I just bought a new house in Dallas after making a ridiculous offer and to my surprise they accepted the offer.
You might want to determine if the pond is considered public waters. The fact that the county worked on the drainage disturbs me.
Also, with an eight to ten foot depth in a southern pond, you will have a problem with grass growing from the bottom. You can control that to a degree by fertilizing the pond in late winter in an attempt to get an early bloom that would inhibit sunlight penetration. A depth closer to twenty feet would be far better.
Hey ya'll I just signed up and I may or may not be sticking around. I am looking to buy some property with a 2 acre pond on it already. Even if I don't buy that bit of property I am looking to buy some property with a few acres so I can build a pond. So I will be lurking around reading posts and trying to suck the brains here dry.
NickyB
Is that a threat? c'mon stick around you'll like it!
Ps Nicky you're living in a beautiful part of the world and a fishermans dream! Bass pond in your backyard with Perdido Bay, a Driver and 8-iron away!
LOL I plan to stick around but I still need to be able to buy the land and see what happens. I have been fighting the urge to try and build a pond in my back yard for a few months now so I am feeling pretty serious.
And I do admit this is a beautiful place though the summer heat is pretty intense. I do miss living Northern NY in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
Originally Posted By: CJBS2003
In northern ponds with a higher probability for winter kill, the deeper the pond the better. With you being in FL where winter kill isn't an issue, I would say as long as you have a good area of water around 6', you are good. Much of the year in FL, your pond will be stratified and the deeper areas of the pond will be of no value anyways. Now if you use an aerator, that can change. Even then I don't think deeper pond in the far south are necessary for most goals. Particularly for a LMB/BG pond.
As far as the aquatic vegetation infestation, walk the edge of the pond and try to determine the slope of it as it goes into the pond. A fairly steep slope would be ideal limiting the amount of shallow water and reducing the growth of shoreline aquatics like cattails as well as submerged aquatic vegetation. A 2:1 slope is ideal.
I will walk the property and check it out. I will see how it goes for that. I was also thinking the same on being in the Southern part though we do have a couple pretty chilly months here every winter.
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
I have a couple of possible concerns.
One is homeowners/liability insurance in a semi urban area. You mention local kids so that may be a concern as an attractive nuisance.
I have always imaged myself being an old man yelling "Get off my LAWN!" But you are correct I am curious into what the insurance company says about this sort of thing.
I wonder if being zoned Rural Residential has any impact on that as well.
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
Another is the no draining covenant. If you need to work on it, it might have to be drained and that could be a hurdle to overcome. It "may" have started out as 8 to 10 ft but, over time, all ponds fill in from natural runoff. Look at the lay of the land to ascertain the natural runoff area. Just why was the pond built at governmental expense? What problem had to be overcome and what did it solve for other people?
I don't think the lake was built by the government but the pipes were put into place I am guessing to prevent flooding.
As for draining for maintenance I think it might be possible. I believe she is referring to draining it permanently. I will have to have this looked into because it has been something I was wondering about. I didn't think dredging would be all that much fun. Also sadly does she not know that I have been looking at expanding it not draining it.
Originally Posted By: Zep
Originally Posted By: NickyB
Keep some of the tips flying though as I want to know what to ask the realtor
Welcome to PondBoss. If you purchase this property I advise you get a subscription to PondBoss Magazine. The magazine is full of great info for pond owners. If you decide you want this property be sure and make a "ridiculous" offer. It is a buyers market like we've never seen before. I just bought a new house in Dallas after making a ridiculous offer and to my surprise they accepted the offer.
Already looking at buying the subscription. Just don't think the wife will care for it if I buy it and don't have a pond. :-D
As for the ridiculous offer I have been considering that. The owner's passed away and now the kids have it. By this point in time an mortgage I would think is paid off and all they owe is the yearly taxes and the maintenance for the house and lawn. It has been on the market for almost two years and as such I think they are getting sick of it. I know the realtor has been talking to me a lot since I have shown interest which strikes me as a sign that she might be looking to get rid of it soon.
Originally Posted By: Dudley Landry
You might want to determine if the pond is considered public waters. The fact that the county worked on the drainage disturbs me.
As I stated before, though I haven't looked into it, I believe this might have been a flood prevention measure. But it is something that needs to be looked into none-the-less and since two people have mentioned it is a red flag item.
Originally Posted By: Dudley Landry
Also, with an eight to ten foot depth in a southern pond, you will have a problem with grass growing from the bottom. You can control that to a degree by fertilizing the pond in late winter in an attempt to get an early bloom that would inhibit sunlight penetration. A depth closer to twenty feet would be far better.
I have seen mention of GC as something of a boon but also a bane. Would one or two work if I have the issue of grass growth? Would it be to much?
One thing I have noticed as well though is that the neighbor has two ponds and it looks like he has some feeders in the water. So I am guessing other than possibly directing him to pond boss he might also be able to give me a lot of information about these questions you have all admirable raised.
I definitely appreciate the amount of information you have offered for me to look over and formulate some questions from. By the time I am ready to go meet these people I think they are going to feel slightly overwhelmed with the amount of information I want to know from them.
Hey Nicky...you'll get used to the heat....no ice or snow on the road...genuine southern hospitality...too many wonderful things to list!Theres a couple of things you must do right away #1 Buy every Roy D Mercer cd and listen to them over and over!!! #2 Cultivate a taste for grits yes I said it GRITS!!!! AND FRESH SWEET TEA!!!
" EVERY DAY I'M AMAZED BY HOW MANY THINGS I DON'T KNOW AND HOW MUCH STUFF I DON'T UNDERSTAND"
Vegetation can be managed a number of ways. Grass carp are an option, number depend on the situation. To say 1 or 2 or 10 is premature until full details can be provided.
Hey Nicky...you'll get used to the heat....no ice or snow on the road...genuine southern hospitality...too many wonderful things to list!Theres a couple of things you must do right away #1 Buy every Roy D Mercer cd and listen to them over and over!!! #2 Cultivate a taste for grits yes I said it GRITS!!!! AND FRESH SWEET TEA!!!
Well I know of this grits thing you speak of and with a little maple syrup or brown sugar it is comparable to the oatmeal of childhood. I have also come to appreciate sweet tea, especially fresh sweet tea. It took me a while because in NY when you get sweet tea it is in a bottle with the label Brisk :-( I have learned that is not sweet tea.
But I will have to pass on the Roy D Mercer.
I have actually been living on the Emerald Coast since Nov 07 and I can tell you I do love the area. Still not a fan of the heat but that is what God made AC for. Also I am married to a Texan and she has helped me adapt.
As for the grass management I definitely know I am going to have to evaluate and see what needs to be done. My goal with any kind of pond of this nature is going to be to make it self sustaining / managing. Granted that will take time and effort on my part but my goal is to avoid any herbicides as well as possibly putting in fertilizers. If I can do something through a more natural process I want to take that route.
Yeah I have to agree that putting sweet stuff like syrup and sugar in grits runs contrary to Gods obvious will...IMHO he is pleased when I crumble fresh fried pork sausage in them!
Kens Helpful Hint#16..cold leftover grits make excellent brim chum.
Interesting Side Note#5 Brim Chum Lee is the guys name where I take my dress shirts to get starched. But he dont fish and when I pointed out the connection he didnt see the humor in it.
Final Note #Last...This could be the last hijacked thread of the old format.
Last edited by findfoolfight; 02/22/1110:46 PM.
" EVERY DAY I'M AMAZED BY HOW MANY THINGS I DON'T KNOW AND HOW MUCH STUFF I DON'T UNDERSTAND"
Oh the power of grits. I might have to try cooking them down a little more because most grits I end up having are a little to running. I do like grits with some butter, salt, and pepper as well and I have had a little bit of cheesy grits.
Grits are good I like them. Though they don't stick to your ribs like a good bowl of oatmeal will keeping you warm for hours.