Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site diggin a pond

I have a old garden spot that I would like to turn into a pond. The size is approx 25x60 and at the bottom of a hill,east side and woods on the west side and would like to make it about 8ft deep. I want a natural setting with fish, bluegill and bass maybe a catfish and a waterfall. The soil is sandy clay to mostly clay deeper down. I would be moving the dirt with my 8n, scrape blade and scoop. Im a newbee to this and all your advise would be appreciated. Thanks Steve T

S.T. Since the pond is at the bottom of a hill with soil maybe marginal for packing and the finished size is 25x60, I would look into the price of a commercial pond liner. Just an option to consider. This will provide a water tight pond so you can maintain a full pond. Nothing worst than a leaky pond, esp. during a drought year . Visit www.coloradolining.com (in the Resource Guide on Opening Page) or [URL=http://www.gseworld.com, [url=http://www.gseworld.com[/URL]]www.gseworld.com[/URL][/url] or www.yunkerplastics.com.

If you are lucky enough to get a spring to feed the pond, no problem. Remember bulldozers by themselves are not very good packing tools; weight is spread out over the tacks. The side walls should have good clay packed tightly several feet thick around the entire basin. YOU DIG A HOLE BUT YOU BUILD A POND! Holes leak. good luck.

Steve, you can scoop the dirt out with the N, but how will you pack it on the dam part?

You're getting good advice. Also, be aware that a managing a bass/bluegill population in a pond that small will be tricky. The bass will tend to eat all of the bluegill. Just be aware that you will need to be particularly observant and may need to add additional forage (food fish) frequently. There are lots of stocking strategies and the proper choice depends upon your objectives. You can stock only bass (a few)if they are trained on feed, only hybrid bluegill with a couple of bass to eat the offspring, only channel catfish and various other combinations. Some minnows will help control insect larvae.