Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site good place for a pond? added pics

I have 4 acres in southern Indiana and always dreamed about having a pond on my property. The sight I was wanting to build the pond on has a natural spring that has never went dry. The sight would be perfect for a pond but It has some ledge rock that is my only concern. Any of you guys build a pond on ledge rock and have it hold water? Is there any place I can send a soil sample and test the soil? I want to do alot of research before I start because I would have to take a few nice trees down? [img:left][/img] [img:left][/img] [img:left][/img]

bobby, welcome to the forum. I'd start with the county NRCS office. They might come out to your place and give you some insight. It's free.

Springs are good and bad. If the spring is inside your pond, then the water can go both ways, depending on which has more pressure, your pond or the spring.

Read and search in the Pond Construction section, one of the members here has had a problem with rock ledges in his pond - he can't seal them.

Keep us posted on your progress, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

Could I put a liner in it if the pond didn't hold? How much would a liner for about a acre size pond?

Yes and more $ than I would want to spend. It's not only the cost of the material, but the cost of installing the liner. If the liner gets a hole in it, then it won't hold water so well.......

I'd look for a reputable pond builder, not a contractor that moves dirt. There are many people that can move dirt and make a hole in the ground; there are few that can dig a pond correctly.

I'd go look at some of the ponds that the contractor built, and ask yourself "would I want my pond to look like this?"

It would be better to look at a pond that was built in the last year to 18 months rather than a pond that is 5 years old.

Look on the main page for books to buy, and get one or 2. "Perfect Pond" is one of them.

I've been looking into liners, and the cheapest 45 Mil Firestone that is 50 foot x 100 foot is 1,850.00 plus shipping. The place down the road from me is 1,000.00 more than that!

A liner for a 1 acre pond would be really expensive.

Bobby 5, do you have an ample supply of good clay available?

If so, the rock is a non-issue as you can line all rock with at least a 2' thick layer and seal those leak worries. Be sure to place your spillway away from the ledges also.

i think there is a decent about of clay in my soil. Is there any place i can send a soil sample to see how much clay is in it?

i just added some pics

Nice looking place. Find out if there are ponds in the area and who built them. Ask those builders if they encountered the problem. You need expert advice on the question - no guess work - its too expensive to be wrong. Might call Dave Sefton "Mongo".

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