Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Possible New Pond- Watershed and Site Selection???

First post, but I have been lurking for a little while.

Here is the situation:

My family owns approximately 70 acres in Caldwell County, Texas over by the town called Delhi. We've had the place for over 10 years but have never really done anything with it other than let it go totally wild. It has extremely thick brush and some incredibly tall trees. The soil is pretty sandy, but there is this thick red clay when you get down a little ways. We know because when the co-op ran power out to our place they widened the easement and there was red clay-like mud everywhere.

My goal, if possible, would be to try and build a 2-5 acre pond on our place for fishing and attracting wildlife. I don't know if we have enough watershed to accomplish that goal, but maybe we do. There is a wet weather creek on the property area that concentrates a fairly significant amount of runoff during rain events. However, one concern is that just above the northwest corner of our property is a smaller pond that is probably cutting off some of the drainage we would otherwise receive.

Below are some topo maps and aerial photographs for you to take a look at:

These are some close ups. The property boundaries are in red.



The yellow line was where I thought a logical place for a dam would be given the topography of the property.



Here are some larger scale maps that hopefully show the upstream drainage area.



I have highlighted the low wet weather creeks with blue lines.



Also, I have already called the NRCS and I believe they said that for our area there is approximately a 10:1 acreage ratio for drainage to pond size. I am going to have them come out and take a look at our property as we get a little closer to getting this project off the ground. When I was talking to them, they said that a 2 acre pond would be very big for our area...

What do you pondmeisters think?

Thanks and I look forward to participating!

Welcome to PB.

If the soil will hold water and you have a wet season creek you can have a 2 acre pond.

I suggest you contact the PB office and get a copy of "Perfect Pond". It will help you avoid mistakes and make good choices on decisions that effect generations of pond enjoyment

Thanks for the quick response. I should add, the wet weather creek might be a misnomer. When it rains water comes through our property. The "creek" doesnt hold water.

And I'll definitely be looking to get some reference material from Bob Lusk.

Hello Acuna and welcome to Pond Boss. Thanks for jumping in and posting! You'll love having a pond. There is something about catching a fish in your own pond that is very rewarding.

If Otto goes to that area of Texas (don't know, Texas is so dang big that if you were in Europe you'd have traveled across several countries in the miles it takes to cross Texas) but if Otto does consult in that area I'd be inclined to pay him to take a look see.

Make sure you post what the NRCS says to you and feel free to ask any and all questions.

Welcome abord, Acuna--You are going to love this place.

How full does the little pond upstream stay? The soil may be different but that will give you a place to start. You have plenty of drainage so check the soil.

Thanks guys! I will keep you posted...

Whos NRCS

Greetings and felicitations, Acuna.

FWIW, that is my definition of a wet weather creek (run).

Natural Resources Conservation Service (I hope that's right).

(Federal) Government offices located throughout the country, in prior decades that provided a large amount of assistance with pond building. Many offices still do, although the time and expertise they have available nowadays varies considerably from NRCS office to NRCS office. Their services are generally free, so it is usually worth checking with them first.

My local office provided invaluable assistance with topo map supply and interpretation, figuring out watershed size, noting that my pond sites did not affect listed wetlands, and calculating minimum drain pipe sizes. They also have held pond construction and dry hydrant clinics that we attended, learning much.

well put