Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Edwards / Real Counties Texas pond site

Im in the process of looking for land around Leakey over through to Rocksprings. This will be "weekend" property for hunting and may possibly move out on in the distant future. Anyone have any experience on building a pond/tank out that way? I will need a well dug which is running about $15K right now for an air rig down to 600'. I'm thinking of trickling well water in to keep it topped off. Im not too familiar with the soil composition, but theres a lot of rocks. I am thinking that the best way to seal it would be to use bentonite. I know liners these days are tough, but I think the hogs would have it tore up in no time. Any suggestions there? I'm wanting to do a 1.5 - 2.0 acre pond. I think trucking in bentonite would be cost effective as a lot of it comes from this part of the state. Spread it heavy and till it in with the top soil, then compact the hell out of it. I am thinking that $55K would be a realistic starting price for a pond of that size and the well. Might be able to get a discount on one or the other by having the same company do them. Am I heading in the right direction? I appreciate any feedback. This is a project for next year, just trying to start my homework now.

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you will run into some clay that you can stockpile and use to line the pond. Bentonite here doesn't have a good long term track record. Maybe not being applied right? I don't know.

I don't think a liner would last long with hogs in the area.

Welcome to PB. I think I would visit the NRCS guy and drive around looking at local ponds. Stop and talk to the owners about their experience, who they used, what they might have done differently, etc.