Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site pond site

recently purchased 92 acres and am trying to pick a good site that will not create many problems for me to deal with in the future---the best site i think lies in the "bottom" along the right side of my property---it has a fair size creek (dry now due to drought conditions)--the topo shows probably 60 or so of the acres (with pretty good slope) run off to that bottom plus another 30 or 40 acres off my property--am interested in having a pond dug in the cleared areas in the bottom that are just off the edge of the big old hardwoods that line the creek bed--am in hopes can locate a spring in the bottom to use as additional water source if needed in dry weather and/or to possibly pump from---am going to have some test holes dug but most of the soil in that area is clay. property is in chalk country in mid-georgia. plan on making the pond follow the contour of the bottom of the hill on one side and hardwood tree line on the other side. NCRS(?) in that area says 25 acre runoff will fill 1 acre pond in that area usually--any thoughts/suggestions/tips on that scenario? also am reluctant to dam the creek as it is close to property line and topo shows it may have a ton of water coming thru it during wet season don't want problems with getting onto neighbors land nor problems with dam erosion from strong current. thanks for any suggestions.

Another Pond Rookie, I guess I should change my handle to TX Pondrookie.

You are the original one so don't change yours and BTW good to see you post. How's the pond doing ?

GA PR welcome and I suggest you read Brettski's pond planning and building threads for a lot of helpful ideas and info.I will try to find the links and add them here.

Go to this link and pick out a few to start with.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=recent_user_posts;u=00002309;filter=topics

Welcome. I dammed a creek much like you have described and have not had good results. If I were doing it again I would have the soils, dam and pond all tested, engineered and drawn. Then I would hire the most experienced excavator or pond builder I could find in that area.

It is far easier and cheaper to spend the money upfront and get it done right than to try to fix a leaky pond afterwards.

Also, do not go with the cheapest excavator. Go with the most experienced and trustful. In ponds cheaper can can cost you lots more later.

thanks to all for information and links---will check them out. again thanks.

Ga Pond Rookie, welcome, I built a 3.5 acre pond just north of you in putnam county about 5 years ago. The best place to start is to have the State soil and conservation folks come out and look at your property. They can tell you quickly the best place to put a pond and what size pond you can build, then they will design the dam for you and stake the pond. The soil and conservation office is in Eatonton.

thanks for the info ---talked with a ncrs guy south of us--he said they didn't come out and do that anymore--i think he is just elderly in poor health and doesn't want to get out in the heat--maybe should try the eatonton office--anyone in particular good to talk to?--also do you think they will come to washington county from putnam? you can email me at agc53@yahoo.com appreciate it.