Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat large floating island or permanent ?

My pond in the middle is about4 feet deep. I want to make an island for my geese to nest on. Any ideas on a way to construct a permanent island that will provide fish habitat as well as a good nesting spot? Or would a larger floating island be easier to construct? My thought was to stack cinder blocks and put pallets on top of them at water level. Then put dirt on top of the pallets and plant grass and other marsh type plants on it. This would give fish great habitat and provide island habitat. Any thoughts????

Initial thought is pallets would eventually rot.

How large of an island are you contemplating? Is constructing an earthen island not an option?

I would be concerned thet the blocks will settle to much. As you know, the pallets will rot. What about stacking pallets only, followed by brush and soil. As things settle, just add another layer on top. The pallets will break down slowly and provide lots of hiding places for smaller fish. Over time with additional layers, you will have a natural pile of fine debris for all species to enjoy.(only worth 1 cent)

Well the pond is full and it is about 1 acre. Not quite sure how I could make an earthen island at this point. Would take a lot of buckets of dirt...LOL !! I just want one big enough for a couple to geese to nest on and stay away from predators.

A stack of pallets could be doable.

Mike, Peepaw has a good idea with pallets as long as your pond level doesn't fluctuate too much.
If you wanted to go with a floating Island probably the easiest way would be to use foam sheets.
Those 4'x 8' blue sheets they have in building supply stores could be used, they're 2 inches thick so glue 2 or 3 together for strength and flotation, and you could shape the island if you wanted it to look more natural, then drill many holes in it to allow water up and roots to extend down under. You could wrap the island with 1/4" mesh plastic fencing for extra strength and then put plastic garden edging around the perimeter to form a lip so the dirt won't wash off.
Just an idea I've been meaning to do someday.

I wonder what the life of that would be ?

Mike,

Have you seen these?

http://products.hbpondmanagement.com/category_s/20.htm

Yea those are kinda pricey. My pond fluctuates about 6 inches tops. I pump it so some times I shut off the pump for a week or so and then turn it back on to fill up. I think the pallet idea may work the best. That would give fish a great habitat area, I can have the roots go down into the water to use nutrients and give the geese, turtle, frogs a nice place to hang out. Who knows, I may make a couple of them.

If the foam was protected from UV rays, I think it would last a long time.

I wonder if PVC or other plastic pipe could be used to make an island?