Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Plan for new pond

I am begining construction on a new pond, and would love your input through this.

I have been reading this site for sometime and over the last year following Brettski's adventure. I have bought and read "The Perfect Pond" as well as "Raising Trophy Bass".

We have cleared the trees, and dug our test hole. Everything looked really well. No limestone, 2 feet of topsoil, then clay.
I have talked with the local NSRA (little help) and have a guy building it that has built several before. We plan to strip the topsoil, then dam the valley.

I have included a satellite image along with the topo and proposed pond. At the northeast edge of the proposed pond is an existing "little" pond that is about 2 feet deep. It did not go dry this summer, so i'm assuming it must be fed by a spring.

house,topo, proposed pond
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/cgaines7/houseandtopo2.jpg

house and pond
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/cgaines7/houseandpond.jpg

topo and pond
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/cgaines7/pondandtopo2.jpg

thanks chris

Hi Chris and welcome to Pond Boss, glad you found us. It sounds like you are off to a great start with you research. If you haven't all ready I would suggest that you also subscribe to Pond Boss magazine.

Brettski is an amazing guy ain't he? His place is really something and if you haven't checked it out his web site is really something also. I only wish that he would lighten up and not be so serious all the time.

I'll let the experts answer your question and make comments on your project. If I attempted to answer I would probably get side tracked and end up discussing whether or not the speed and agility of a team of macak monkeys would over come the strength and determination of a team of orangatuns in a beach volleyball contest and you don't want that.

Bump for Monday morning dam construction experts.


Smart moves.


For the record, the full title is "Brettski's Big Adventure"

...I know you are, but what am I?

Chris,

Welcome!

Advice from a new pond owner of 1 year: Git 'er done! I spent too many months, no, years planning. Some parts of your pond construction must be carefully planned, other parts are obvious. Do the obvious now, and plan the more critical parts as you go. I regret every day I waited or dawdled, because that's a day I deprived myself of my pond.

It's pretty good pond building weather where I live. Where are you from?

Welcome Chris good luck with your project. The fun part is about to begin. The smell of fresh dirt I miss it.

Hey gainesc,

I too am a novice at this pond building, but have gained alot of knowledge from this blog. I just finished my pond (about 14 acres) and I believe that the very most important piece is the Keyway. If you feel like you've gone deep enough...go another 5 feet. It won't cost that much more and worth the peace of mind. you can see some photos of my progress at http://www.trophybasslake.com

Beano - nice web page and chronicle of your journey. I hope you will keep the site up and current. One point FWIW. Tiger LMB are intra-species crosses not hybrids . A cross of 2 LMB strains not a hybrid of 2 species. That is unless the current genetics debate between the fisheries scientists is decided one way or the other. They are currently arguing if Fla and northerns are different species as some suggest based on genetics. In any case the F1s (tiger bass are a sub-set of F1s) have to my knowledge not shown the hybrid vigor or outbreeding depression that most hybrids show.

It's always good to start by conveying your goals.