Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site newbie needing help!

My name is Aaron and I am new to this site and also new to ponds as well.

I recently purchased a new home on 12.5 acres that has a stream flowing through the property.

There are several springs flowing into the creek...or smaller streams correct me if I'm wrong but the water in them is always flowing and it is very cold.

In one spot there is at least 3 of these springs in 150' This area is about 250'x 150' and there is always water there about 2" deep and also the water is very clean looking.

My thinking is that it is a perfect spot for a pond....the springs will feed it constantly as this is a low water time and there is plenty of water now.

My biggest concern is the pond filling up as I dig also what is the best machine to use for the digging considering the wet ground I dont want to get stuck.

I am new to the whole pond building process and im trying to learn everything before I break ground. Any comments and tips would be greatly appreciated.

Also could I post pics of the area in question to determine if its a good location?

First of all, welcome aaronh.

The number one thing that a person would typically research at this point, is how big the watershed is. Usually pond builders will look at a topographical map to see how much water drains into the potential pond during a 1 inch rain, 3 inch rain, 50 year rain etc. Have you done this yet?

Hello thanks for the reply
To answer your question....I have not done any watershed research. How do I go about doing so?

I'm pretty sure that if you go to your NRCS you can get a topographical map. Take a photo of it and we'll help you post it on the site.

Google maps will give you a topographical map of your land that you can use to get an idea of the amount of watershed you have to worry about. With constant water coming into your pond site, your concern is too much water.

If it rains real hard, how bid does your dam and emergency spillway have to be to handle it?

What type of soil do you have? Can you tell the difference between clay and loam, or other variations of soil? It would be a good idea to find your local extention and have them do a soil analysis. Most ag extensions do this for free.

I would think a decent sized dozer in the 150hp range should be able to build your pond for you in a few days to a week. It depends on the amount of trees that need to come out, what to do with them and how dry the soil is.

The biggest mistake people make when hiring a contractor to do anything is to hire the first guy they talk to. The second biggest mistake is to hire a friend or reletive. The third is to hire a guy that a friend recomended.

You might get lucky and the first guy you talk to is an expert with the skills and work ethic to do the job right, but you might not. You really need to talk to at least five contractors at different times. One a day type of thing and spend the time picking there brains. Don't tell them what so and so will do, but find out what they will do and why. What you will find out is that at least one of them is clueless. If your lucky, you'll also find out who's unreliable, doesn't listen and is hard up for cash.

The biggest thing that I've come across when hiring contractors is how they lie about hours worked. Be very, very careful in your contract with them to only pay them for hours worked, and then keep track of it. Do this on a daily basis and you won't have any problems. If not, I've seen them charge for repairs, breaks, runs to town and drive time to the job. At $100 an hour, this can realy add up to allot of money for work that's not being done.

Good luck,
Eddie

Thanks all for the replys.....I just took 5 pics of the property or area in question I am going to figure out how to post.

As far building the pond I will not hire anybody my brother is in excavating and is willing to help. And I am a contractor I know how expensive they can be. I'm trying to learn every aspect of pond construction even if it takes 3 years.....I'll probably do it in phases....testing,tree removal,digging...or whatever order I learn to be best.

Once again thanks for all the help

Get a copy of Bob Lusk's "Perfect Pond" book. It will be the best money you spend towards building your pond (and if you're a contractor, you can probably write it off).

here are some pics of the creek,springs and pond location.....this is my first try so I hoope it works photo bucket [/URL] [url=http://http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z152/aaron44447/pond4.jpg] [/url] [url=http://http://] [URL=http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z152/aaron44447/pond2.jpg][/url]

pic of creek where springs flow into potential pond site This spring winds through the pond site another spring shot This moving water is all over the potential pond site

Ok I think I figured out the whole link thing...please let me know what you think about the pics. Also I intend to order the perfect pond book as well. As far as having too much water...won't the creek take care of that?

From the pics it is hard to tell but my house is 150' higher then the creek and pond site. The whole area in question is like a giant soup bowl...with hills sloping to it. Even though A nice pond in a grassy back yard looks great...this could never be that....it will be a pond for the wildlife and for fish.....down near it I hope to make it look great but it won't even be seen from my house.

I think it will be lots of fun to catch fish behind the house....especially fish you raised.


Again any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Aaron

aaronh if the spring flow year around you just need to excavate a hole. I recomend a track hoe. It will not be necessary to concern your self with soil types etc because you will be relying on the water table not the soil holding water. I would stay away from the creek it looks to have a large watershed. If the pond is close to the creek I would build a berm around the pond to keep the creek out of the pond site if possible else all your fish will go down stream with the creek when it floods. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply......just so I understand you correctly...your suggesting I dig a hole and no worry about clay etc.

Also how big should the berm be? I met a guy who seemed to know what he was talking about and he suggested digging out one spring to the creek and make a dam out of 4" I-beams with 4x4 fence post in them....then when the water starts to get high just pull a couple post. Would this be a good idea?