Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Rip Rap, newly built pond...grass seed?

Pond will hopefully be complete within a couple weeks. Would like to get some rip rap on some areas before grass grows in the spring. Geotextile cloth and limestone 6-8" , is that the standard method? Given our temps I don't think seeding now would do much good. Will seed in early spring once temps warm up. I am not going to rip rap entire pond, was thinking mostly in areas where the rain runoff will occur to help with clarity until grass grows and to give some structure.

Also looking at making a small beach area, have a finger section in the back of pond that will only be 4-6 feet deep. Would this give the water a clearer quality with the sand bottom? Have read about making beach areas, not sure if want to do sand or just pea gravel.

I assume doing these both ASAP will help with erosion control and water clarity as the pond fills until I can get some grass established in the Spring. Any other ideas to help with the 'muddy' water filling new pond? Would like to stock some trout in later Winter/ early Spring but not sure how they'd do if water clarity was basically zero and muddy.

You may want to consider silt fencing.

Beastman, IIRC Trout will not survive warm water. Don't know the limits but I believe it's suggested they be harvested by Memorial day in N In. which is about 3&1/2 hrs N of you. Do you have a well or good spring? Probably want to ask some ?s or research temp limits for Trout before you stock em. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Great feeling waiting for the dig to fill. Try ta get some FH, SPS and BNM lined up for early next spring.

Hey Bob-O
This will be a HSB/ SMB / HBG / Perch pond when all done...
Was thinking small amount Trout just for fun...realizing they will die by end of June if not removed before than...

Doing some more research today, don't think I am going to go traditional Rip rap rocks, want something more kid friendly while fishing , walking along the bank. Might just do some smaller limestone or some river rocks/ gravel etc...

Still debating a beach area and or sand or pea gravel bottom...

You have probably thought of this but just in case....

Round rocks roll, especially on top of fabric and/or on a slope. Regardless of the size of stone you choose, I would pick a stone with irregular rough surfaces so there is some interlocking to keep it in place.

This thread might have some useful information and I think there is at least one link within the thread to another similar thread.

Rock lining a pond

After viewing more photos etc...now I am leaning towards more of a natural look... Anything I can do to help with muddy / erosion until grass seed starts ? Silt Fencing work?

Or should I just let it fill with muddy water and get grass going and then just treat with ALUM? Will stocking in muddy water make a difference to the fish?

Not all turbidity caused by suspended soil particles will remain turbid. Most silt and some clays will settle out without any help. Only certain types of clays will stay suspended and have to have some help to clear. You can do a jar test with some of your clays and see if they stay suspended or settle.

I have no good sugestions on your other concerns.

Rocked shore lines will look more "natural" in a few years (ie weeds, grass, trees, etc) unless a concerted effort is made to keep them rock looking. It will always revert to "natural" given some time. Most do not really want natural. They want "natural looking" and natural looking is in the eye of the beholder.

Turbid water is not the best for fish. Kind of like a human living in a continous dusty environment.

+1 to what Snrub said and....IMO every time you allow erosion to make your pond muddy after a rain event and soil washes into the pond and settles out, you have decreased the depth and life of your pond.

Thanks for the advice, still up in the air some, I am going to have some rock delivered for some structure etc... might have some extra thrown in so I can place in the run off areas to help until the grass starts growing in the Spring.