Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Pumping a sandpit

Hi. I posted last year about my sandpit but couldn't get logged in.
Same pond, different name. To update your information, 80 year old sandpit, 3 to 4 feet of black muck on bottom and a horrible duck weed problem.
Last fall and this spring I removed 20 some trees from 2 sides of pond to help with air flow. This did help with keeping a little more open water, but will not solve problem.
This summer I have acquired 2 4 inch Gorman rupp thrash pumps with deutz Diesel engines.
My hope is to install both pumps on floating platform, with one pump with a suction line going down to around10 feet and discharging over the edge of pond into a field. The second pump will pick up clean water and discharge through a smaller dia pipe connected to the suction line blowing a hole into the muck and diluting the muck for easier removal.
I also have a drop rake I will be attempting to pull through pond to see if I can clean some debris from bottom.
Am I nuts or just delusional?

Sounds like an interesting project, delusional or not.

So please keep us informed and post lots of pictures as you go along.

There have been numerous posts in the past people inquiring about how well dredging like you describe would work. We don't get a lot of feedback though if anyone ever tries it or how well it works.

I think lots of people will be interested to follow your project. I know I will.

Hello fellow Cornhusker!

What is the size of the sandpit? Where are you located in NE? Happy to help any way I can, I'm in Lincoln, NE.

Located just off grand island exit
Pond is around 3/4 of an acre.

Do you have a pond by Lincoln?
My daughter lives there and I get there fairly often.

I go up to Husker Harvest Days almost every year and stay two or thee days. Stay in Aurora and drive through Grand Island. Probably drive past your pond at times.

Most people I have seen report the pump wearing out pumping too much sand through it and give up. Have you considered building a jetting suction line like the sand barges use to dredge sand from rivers? Pump would not have the sand /muck passing through the pump. Just need 6-8" pipe with a slot cut in the bottom then attach or weld say a 2" pipe down the side put two 90s and swedge it down from 2" to say 3/4" run it about 12" up your sucking pipe. If you can get enough pressure and volume it should work well.

snrub, you're about 15 miles from my pond when in Aurora. Shoot me a message next year and we will catch some redears and/or catfish.

Thanks.

I will try to remember that. I visited TJ and his pond a couple years ago.

Been staying at Ken's motel for years.

Sorry been away a while...yes I have a few ponds just outside Lincoln. Feel free to drop me an email or call sometime and I am happy to try and help you with your organic buildup issues.

tj@hudlandmgmt.com

I'm on the north side of the interstate. I will contact you next harvest days.

I tried this with a smaller pump last fall and did not have muck luck. It might be different with this bigger pump.
Do most people who try this use a second pump to dislodge the muck and sand and mix it with the water being pumped?

just out of high school I worked a a sand and gravel company and we used this method to dig our pits. I know the pumps we used were capable of pumping rocks and larger debris, but I should not get any rocks but will get sand. I am hoping by diluting I might have a chance to keep pumps intact.
Your thoughts?

Cool!