Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New Pond East Texas

We are putting in a 2 acre pond on our 12 acre property just outside of Nacodoches, Texas.

Here's a little background, we've done about a years worth of research prior to starting. NRCS out provided a soil survey which stated our soil was "very limited" for a pond. They dug two test holes, each 5 foot deep, and concluded the soil vas very "gritty or sandy" and said it was questionable whether we should attempt to put in a pond.

However, we've had a contractor come out to the property and tell us our location holds the best clay in the county and is surely suitable for a pond. I understand, a contractor is going to be biased but this gentleman has been in business for 40 years and was able to show us multiple ponds within a five mile radius some of which he built.

Here's where it gets interesting, we have a wet weathered creek or runoff ditch through the middle of the property. The ditch is only about 2 feet wide and a foot deep at its deepest part. On average, It runs about a foot wide and a few inches deep on so by no means is it a large creek with lots of flowing water. NRCS dug a test hole about 2 feet away from this creek which has previously filled up with recent rains. This is the soil they deemed unsuitable for a pond. However, the water in the test hole, which is 5 foot deep, has only drained out about 10 inches in a week and a half. Therefore, leading us to believe the contractor is right and there is some good clay holding the water.

Anyways, we decided to break ground and start clearing brush in order to start our dream pond. Hopefully, the contractor and test hole hold to be true and we will one day have a pond. I invite you to follow along the process as we begin the journey to join pond boss. I'll post pictures and updates as we proceed. Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom or encouragement along the way!

Welcome to PondBoss!

Bear in mind what you may be seeing is ground water, which means you may be in the club of dealing with a pond with a lot of level fluctuation over time if the soil does a poor job of sealing. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you appropriately deal with it, and the water level never gets too low. Just make sure and dig deep to accommodate the fluctuation and still have plenty of depth for the fish/swimmers when it is at its lowest.

There are several members here with groundwater ponds with a lot of dos and don'ts.

If you hit good clay... then make sure and compact everything very well for a good seal to less ideal soils.
Don't forget to get the book "Perfect Pond, Want One?" from this site, a lot of jewels in there and a fun read.

-Mark