Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Removing a pond?

What kind of problems will I be dealing with if I decide to remove a 20 year old 1 acre pond? I am tired of dealing with it and all its problems. If I drain it and hire somebody to bull doze the damn will I be ok? Its it going to be a stinky mess for years?

Filling in a pond is probably considered an abomination to most of us on this forum. I've never met a pond I didn't like. You must have a real mess on your hands.

That being said, more information would be helpful. Such as, depth, surrounding topography, water source, desired use for land, etc.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum........I think.

Ok its a long explanation that has led me to this but here you go.

Its about an acre in size and about 10 feet deep on one side at the dam and gradually gets shallower to about 1 foot on the other where its connected to the road drain.

I had multiple fish kills the last few years. Nothing is left but frogs and turtles. It gets thick with algae and duckweed every year. I figured I would start early this year and try and keep it under control. I have put in dye 5 times and sprayed it with cuitrine plus multiple times but all it took was a couple hot days and the whole pond is covered now with algae and duckweed again. The design of it seems to be the problem. Its connected to the road drain and across the road is a cow pasture so thats not helping at all. I tried putting in a 100 tilapia last year but they all died after about 3 weeks when I had a fish kill.

Also.. The original owner was related to the people in the neighboring house so they built a pond right between the houses with no regard to making it private and had no worries about legal liability. The pond actually sets closer to the other house which now has new owners that have multiple children that run around the pond like its a community pond. I worry that one them might fall in and drown.

I suppose I could keep it if I spend the tons of money on aeration systems and a large fence and no tresspassing signs but I dont have the money for all that. I think my best option is drain it and let it go back to wilderness like it was before. I just dont know what to expect when I do.

I'm not a professional dirt guy, but, I have tinkered with it. Perhaps, one of the pros can chime in. I was curious as to why you felt it was nesecary to deconstruct the pond. Now, I understand your dilema. It sounds like you've made a valiant effort to save your pond, and therefore, you certainly deserve a response to your inquiry.

Providing that you can completely drain the pond and keep it dry enough to operate machinery in it, I see no problem. Sure, there may be a funky odor for a little while, but it should soon dissipate, as the muck dries.

From your description, it sounds like the pond is built on a slope. This would be beneficial, as it would allow for continuous drainage of the area. Your dirt contractor may want to first dig a drainage trench through the dam, and come back a few weeks later, after the soil has dried enough so that it can be worked.

Just a thought; I don't know if it would be applicable for your situation, but, you might consider informing your neighbor of your intentions, and asking them if they would care to purchase the pond from you. Good luck!

You may need a legal opinion on eliminating the "wetland." Other than that, I probably would start by slowly draining it, probably with a siphon. That would prevent erosion and flooding on the neighbor's side.

Being in Ohio, it will have a limited time to stink if you wait until autumn to start draining it. I've done it, but with just a quarter acre pond -- in early September.

Once it is drained you won't be able to drive or walk into it for quite some time. But, an experienced heavy equipment operator or company will know how to roll the dam and bottom soil with the muck to keep from submerging their equipment.

Ask lots of questions before you commit to anything.

Ken