The pond site has dried up nicely this summer enabling me to get to work clearing the trees and brush. I've cleared about two thirds of the area.
I don't think the clay content is high enough for an embankment pond, but for an excavated pond, I think I'm in good shape.
What do you pros think?
VA
VA,
I'm far from a pro, but I think you are probably in pretty good shape for an excavated pond. I've fished a lot of big and small holes from Richmond, to Chickahominy, to Pongo, to Back Bay, and to the Dismal Swamp.
Old friends in your area have also had very shallow wells that they used for their gardens and lawns -- the water tasted horrible, and was slightly brackish, but it should certainly support fish. The water table in one in-law's in Richmond backyard was just a few feet. There were no basements in that neighborhood.
I don't know if it is still there, but at one time, there was a fairly large commercial pond supplier in the Suffolk area with a lot of ponds.
A drive around Williamsburg, Toano, Tappahannock, Jamestown, etc., sure makes it seem like you shouldn't have to dig too deep to have a successful pond.
We recently drove down Route 17 from Fredericksburg to the Williamsburg area. There seemed to be a lot of farm ponds that looked healthy.
Keep us informed.
Ken
