I am new to this site and need so far this site has lots of good information, but I need help or a kick in the A to try it myself.
What I would feedback on is... 1.Names of contractor in the area that would like to try this project. 2. A rough cost. I got one quote of 100k. 3. Could I rent the backhoe and doze and do it my self.
Shape of existing pond. 1. Size is about 3 acres 2. Water level has been reduced to 1 foot on shore to 4 feet in middle 3. A layer of black muck knee deep is found on the bottom. 4. Plant take over the pond in the summer time. 5. Strong fish population. 6. Over flow pipe is in need of replacement.
Below is the scope I would like to do....
Pond scope of work
1. Drain and deepen the existing pond (see photo 1 below) a. maximum depth of 10 feet for over 50% of the pond’s center b. confirm that the clay content in the pond floor’s dirt is high enough to hold water, if needed help to install a pond liner c. allow proper time to allow pond to dry out before beginning to excavate d. a 3 to 1 slope below the water line around the first 15 feet of pond edge (that is, for every 3 horizontal feet from the bank, the bottom should drop vertically by one foot.) e. firmly compact the pond bottom f. add several spawning areas at the bottom of the new pond floor g. leave existing rock outcropping in the pond in place h. if trees are removed, a new layer of clay will be packed along the water face to prevent leakage i. allow for onsite adjustments where desired 2. Preserve the existing spring that feeds the pond with the highest of priorities 3. Install for a pond overflow pipe system (see Photo 3), in the same location as the current overflow pipe a. include function for adjustable water levels b. include a debris guard c. include a pond draining tube d. include anti seepage collars 4. Install a dry hydrant a. access pipe between the barn and the house b. using a minimum 6-inch diameter, schedule 40 pipe c. installation depth must be below the frost-free depth d. providing a flow of 60 to 1000 gallons per minute 5. Install silt straining systems to keep silt and debris from entering pond from neighboring waterflows a. needs protection from golf course b. needs protection from new house hill slope c. needs protection from northwest hill slope 6. Install an aerating fountain in the center of the pond b. install aerating fountain 7. Use the excavated pond bottom material around the existing pond to dispose of material and to raise pond level
h. firmly compact the new materials i. provide for topsoil, seed and straw on new banks 8. Set pier posts for two piers a. T shaped pier for recreational use on the south side of pond that measures 6 to 12 feet wide by 20 feet long (see Photo 5) b. I shaped pier for drain overflow access on the northeast side of pond c. allow for onsite adjustments where desired 9. Confirm that the pond is properly filling and draining 10. Provide for all Loudoun County permits and approvals
Payment Schedule: 5% deposit 10% when pond is drained 10% when excavation of pond begins (after drying) 10% when excavation and compacting is complete 10% when new banks are graded, top soiled, seeded and hayed 10% when pier posts, electricity, silt straining systems, dry hydrant and overflow work is complete 10% when pond is refilled 10% when aerating fountain is functional 20% when pond is confirmed to be properly filling and draining
Photo 1 Pond at 42060 Briarberry Place Leesburg, VA
I hate to see a post go un-answered for so long, but I am afraid you scared everybody off with your detailed post.
Perhaps if you are still out there looking, come back and start off with one or two specific questions. Don't be afraid to jump into past threads, lots of info there too, that will answer a lot of general questions.
Could you do it yourself? By the list of what you want, even a very qualified guy might have troubles. So, I don't think this would be something you'd want to tackle unless your plans change.
There was a previous post a year or so ago with someone that wanted a lot of the same things. IIRC it was at least a page or 2 long. Maybe someone can find it?
The $100K sounds about right for all of this. A very rough estimate for a new pond would be about $14K per acre (around here) for an average dug hole, plugged ravines are less, just for the hole. Renovations will be in the same ballpark per acre. Then you have to tack on all the extras...
Moving muck, from what I have read here, is a difficult process. It is like pudding, needs to dry, and needs to be moved someplace else. I think it is best to have someone experienced move that crud IMHO rather than getting yourself stuck with expensive equipment.
I would separate out the dirt moving, drains/overflow, hydrant, and muck cleaning from the rest of the work and have this as a seperate quote. Handle the rest with specialists. Example: You can build the dock yourself pretty easily, or have someone who builds decks build it for you, especially if the pond is empty. You can certainly seed, and anyone can bring in and spread topsoil. You can also install aeration equipment fairly easily.
But since you are asking for the whole package, you are sort of signing on for a site manager or landscape designer than a simple contractor which is getting a lot of people who need to be paid involved. It may be worth the $100K to have it all done, if you can afford it.
There was a previous post a year or so ago with someone that wanted a lot of the same things. IIRC it was at least a page or 2 long. Maybe someone can find it?
