Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site New pond?

I am thinking about building a pond on my 50 acres in Center, TX. I have gone to the Soil Conservation Service and got two possible locations. I need to hire someone to check these locations to see if they will hold water. Does anyone know someboby in this area that builds ponds?

Rick, welcome to Pond Boss. You haven't indicated your background or knowledge so my thoughts may be off base.

The NRCS/SCS usually keeps a list of dozer operators. Check with them. However, the first/cheapest step would be to dig some test holes to see what is under those sites, clay or sand and/or rock. This will tell you whether the sites will hold water which is your original question. Depending on the sites, this might best be accomplished by a big backhoe. A backhoe makes a lot less of a mess.

Next, there are a lot of dozer drivers that can grub mesquite but aren't that great at building a home for fish. There's a huge difference. In my area, most competent dozer guys have gone to the oil patch for work. Before you cut a deal, check a lot of references.

If I were you, and I'm not, my first step would be to contact the Pond Boss office and buy Lusks book, "Perfect Ponds, Want One?". That will be the cheapest money you will spend on this quest.