Bob,
Ya know, it seems in life that no matter how much homework one does with his books, it always happens differently on the streets. You are right; I have been soaking it up like a sponge. Such is life, tho, that you never stop learning and that is why I am so pleased to have come across Pond Boss....what a great grad-school.
The red flag you see is a good call and already on my hit-list. Quite frankly, it is one of the main reasons that I am excited to get involved with Pond Boss. I didn't want to bore everyone with the peripheral details of my project, but now that we have discussed in that direction, I will explain further.
The pond is part of larger development of about 40 acres of timber. It took me 4 years to find "the right one"....decent timber, pond-able, reasonably close to home, and affordable. It will be our vacation home, week-ends, and eventually retirement(?). Phase one of this project actually started before clearing the pond area...it required building a 2000 ft driveway (the main block of property is land-locked except for an 1100 ft x 100 ft wide owned access to the county road, 1/2 of which is meadow). The same excavator did the driveway. Results: outstanding! V cool. We spent a number of hours walking potential routes, him telling me why the ridge is better and the valley isn't....and....me telling him that I want to save that big ole Maple and Walnut tree, so let's go this way. Ultimately, we both agreed on a route, executed the plan, and it is like driving into a nice state campground. I am thrilled. I got to watch him during the 2 days that he and his pal used the dozer and backhoe in symphony to create this path, and it bacame obvious his sense of "surgery"....the collateral damage to surrounding trees was way below minimal...nearly non-existant. This was critical for me, because I used it to gauge him for the big project; he passed with and "A"....so....back to the pond.
We stopped after clearing the pond area for two reasons: a) cash flow b)"a" will cause us to take 8-9 months to think, think, and think. You see, we will have to clear for a building site. I determined the water level based on a draw that runs up on the neighboring property, and the result was a depth that works well with the entire project. No, it ain't gonna be 20 feet deep....I knew that when we bought it. It's shape is kinda like a skeleton keyhole, the squarish part of the keyhole is the two opposing hills that create the dam (absolutely ideal topo for a dam). The larger, round part of the keyhole is a 3-4 acre basin and the area for the homesite. Ah yes, the homesite. The plan is to clear for the homesite in next year's phase 2; there are quite a few thicker/more mature trees in the target area and they will be used for fish structure. There should be ample supply.
Now, finally, the red flag that we have both identified. As mentioned, it is the first reason that I am here. I am not a fisher-guy (awkward, sorry), but I could be and I have alot of pals that are. That combined with the value of a well maintained fish pond and the challenge of making this new "hobby" work have me sharply focused on how to shape and carve the "Sahara Desert" that I currently have. Enter Pond Boss and P-B posters. The beauty of clearing to slightly beyond the waterline: it will allow me to see the blank canvas as a whole, without ruining any options that I have to make it my masterpiece. I now have about 8 months to gather my paints, set up my easal, and think about what landscape portrait to produce. My contractor has some helpful fish input, but I am going to continue to take the reins, particulary in shaping the bottom. I know now that what we agree on will happen...this based on my experiences to date.
Yes, I want a firm $ commitment from him. It helps me to see the big $ picture. Likely, tho, his fair option of $/hour will be the billing method in the end.
So there stands the red flag....I am ready, teachers. Please energize bottom-scape -101.
Thanx
Bski