Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Renovation of a lake with rented bobcat?

During the drought in Nebraska our lake is way down probably about 3 feet and appears to be completely dry for 6 acres or so in front of our lake house. I was wondering if it would be possible to rent a bobcat for a day or so and maybe dig it out in front of our house or is this a recipe for disaster. I would plan to stay a large distance from the drought water line. I was thinking of digging some test holes just by hand and see what it looks like but this would be a great opportunity to dig out a nice fishing hole in front of the house before it fills back up. Anyone have any experience with this. I have a photo but not sure how to post it but would be happy to email it to anyone that was interested. Thanks.

Where would you put muck/spoils? May be money ahead to hire a track loader and a few dump trucks...

For pics, the easiest is to load it oon the site by clicking the link under the reply box....I prefer uploading to photobucket and then clicking the "IMG" code and pasting it in the reply where I want the pic...

I just don't think a Bobcat-type skid steer can move enough to do a reasonable job in your time frame. Figure that a 6-foot skid steer bucket will hold about a half cubic yard of material. I don't think you could reasonably skim several inches from several acres in one day with an 80-100 HP skid steer. Even in conjunction with two dump trucks,I don't think it could be done.

The quickest way to move that much dirt is by using a dump truck with a large loader that can move several yards per bucket, or a trackhoe that can move at least a yard per bucket. Maybe even a medium size dozer and an excavator or trackhoe to load a dump truck would work.

6 acres dry with it down only 3 feet? That seems like a big area and a big shallow area. Are you the sole owner of this lake, or are there others that have to be included?

Agreed with above comments. Thats a big area with ALOT of dirt to be moved to be effective.

...Also, have you pysically walked out onto this dry area without sinking in? If there is deep muck, it can take a year to dry up for a smaller piece of equipment to get out on it.

[img]http://s1341.beta.photobucket.com/user/j...?sort=3&o=0[/img]

Looks like an opportunity to clean up and dig out to me. Depending on cash flow of course! If I had the $$$ I would be putting in some canals, peninsulas, etc. Add some contours to the bottom and I think fishing would be a lot more interesting when done.

Thanks for the fast replies. There are about 15 or so homes on the lake so it is shared and would have to get their approval. Also I didn't necessarily want to dig out the whole 6 acre area just part of it. There is a back area of the lake that doesn't have any homes on it and I was thinking of just moving the dirt back there. When the lake was originally dug that was where most of the dirt went. I guess one of my big concerns is that I don't want to get the thing stuck. Also was thinking of just financing it myself so wanted to keep costs down. I have walked on it and it seems solid although there is one area that I think must be a natural spring that is soft. Don't think that I got the photo added right but think that the link works. Thanks again all for your input.

I believe the excavator and dump truck will move the most dirt the quickest. Dig some test holes, but I think you will find water and soft dirt not too far under the surface. If you decide on a skid steer, it'd better be of the tracked variety, or you're asking for trouble. (i.e. getting it stuck)

One more issue. If you dig out an area that far from the water table, some of your fish could get trapped there and not be able to get back to the main lake during droughts.

There needs to be access back to the main bow.

I agree with others here that a bobcat won't move alot of dirt and I bet that you find a wheeled bobcat close to useless once you break through the crust, you will be spending lots of money per hour to try to extract a stuck bobcat. A bobcat on tracks would be better but it's not a dozer and doesn't do well in slick mud. Looking at your work area I have doubts that a dozer could do much work in there without getting stuck. An excavator has the advantage of having tracks and can be kept on undisturbrd ground, backing up as it digs instead of going forward over disturbed ground. I would take a hand post hole digger out there and see how wet the soil is below the crust before making a decision about what equipment is needed.

IF you knew how to operate an excavator (of any size, mini on up to huge), I would rent one and dig holes and use the dirt to make islands. You only have to touch the dirt once which allows you to get bigtime bang for your buck. The habitat you create will not only beautify the lake, but will create an oasis in the middle of a desert.

Just by looking at your pic, even if you only dug down 4-5' deep and then piled that dirt up within reach of the hole you will attract some serious amounts of fish into your zone....

Typical rental rates on a mini excavator run about $1000 if rented by the week and a big excavator about $1600 by the week, either way you can make a couple real nice islands by working after work and on the weekend....

Good idea Nate!

Around here, the middlin' ones go for around $1500 per week (38-40K pounds and 21' dig depth, 36" bucket). Larger than that and the price goes up, KM PC400L C-8 (101K and 27' dig depth, up to 72" bucket) goes for $3,675/week but with all the equip you have mobilization fees, which can run $500-$750 depending on the size and mileage from the rental place of the vehicle rented.

Does anyone know of a good pond guy who can dig out a pond in the Oklahoma city area?

Sandy, call Mike Otto at 800 882 3478.

Dave,

Can you check the number again, I called and it said I was outside of the calling area.

try this link.....

http://www.pondboss.com/resource_guide.asp?id=75&c=9

Edit- Number is now right.......

Right, I blew it and transposed numbers. 800 882-3478

Thank you so much, spoke with Mike today, he has a lot of knowledge!

Yes he does, he is also a great guy that will talk to us novices to explain it so we can understand.....he is quality people, much like many of the folks on this forum.