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Joined: Oct 2014
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OP
Joined: Oct 2014
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I have been lurking on this fantastic forum for a while and want to introduce myself as a new member. My wife and I are nearing retirement and are considering building a small pond on our 5 acre place in NW Arkansas. Our goals are mostly to enjoy the aquatic ecosystem and wildlife. Fish culture and swimming would be a plus.
The proposed site would allow at most a 1/4 acre pond with about 3ac drainage. Our NRCS rep looked over the site and we had a series of 4-ft test holes dug to evaluate the soil. There is good clay, probably enough for the core and to line the bottom, but also a gravelly layer at varying depth which needs more investigation. A few deeper test holes should give us more info about what lies beneath to help us decide whether to go ahead and what challenges we would face.
I would like to locate and meet experienced pond builders around here who might be able to help evaluate our site and possibly do the construction should it actually come to pass.
Thank you all for all the great information and camaraderie on this the forum.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,145 Likes: 488
Moderator
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Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,145 Likes: 488 |
Welcome to our Pond Forum. There are lots of threads here about designing and building a pond. Soil compaction is very important for a situation like yours. Do some homework and searching old threads about pond construction and building a dam. This link will take you to the Pond Construction Section. Search through it and pay attention to threads that discuss soils and soil compaction. http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm&c=3Depending on your land contour you may need to have more of a dug pond than a dammed ravine. NCRS can't recommend builder but can give you a list of contractor names to investigate. Be diligent about picking a contractor with a very good track record for building well sealed ponds. Get references for past built local ponds and check them out. Everyone likes talking about their pond. A leaky pond will be the worst nightmare and maybe the biggest expense of your retirement. Read through some of the leaky pond threads to put things in perspective and to emphasize the situation where you do not want to be.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 10/24/14 06:55 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,053 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,053 Likes: 277 |
Welcome to PB. One thing to be aware of is that there is no criteria for being on the NRCS list.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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