Guys:
Since we switched to this new bulletin board format, this is one of the most interesting exchanges we've had so far. Am really enjoying seeing the various experiences from pond owners around the U.S.
Here in Central Texas, based on the ponds I have designed, built from scratch or remodeled, if we do not encounter unexpected problems below the surface, I can provide a client a 1-acre pond, 8-9 feet deep for $22,000, turn-key.
Twenty-two grand! You say in a faint.
Oh, but there's a kicker here.
This pond will have a 20 mil man-made liner, fully guaranteed. So, no matter what the soil-type (ultra-porous in these parts), the client gets a pond that holds water.
Some parts of the country with ample rainfall will be different. But here in semi-arid Central Texas, in today's real estate market, if I spend $20,000 to put in a 1-acre pond on my country, I have just increased my property value by $40,000 to $50,000.
One side note: Let me say, sight unseen, that many of you have over-estimated the size of your pond. Invariably, a piece of water will trick the eye, especially if it has an irregular shoreline. It's like fuel economy in your pickup. I bet your truck gets better mileage than mine.
I know, I know. You're the exception. You can eyeball a stretch of water and come close to estimating its actual size. You are truly the exception.
I've been around water all my life, and I've been fiddling with ponds and pond management since the late-1980s, for serious since 1992 when I launched Pond Boss. That doesn't mean I know what I'm seeing.
Just last week, I estimated the size of a winding, stream-like fishing hole near Fredericksburg, TX at, oh, 1-to-1.25 surface acres. I took distance readings with one of those Bushnell Rangefinders and fed them to colleague Bob Lusk.
Bob ran the calculations, based on my numbers, and broke the news to me gently.
"Hey, Einstein, the pond is three-quarters of an surface acre."
Boi-i-i-ing! (palm to bald forehead)
Mark McDonald
Editor, Pond Boss
