Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond Construction Question

Water table ponds can be dug without pumping out the water as the pond is dug, but the downside to that is 1) the operator can't see what he's doing and he has to work by "feel" 2) it's slower because as the water sloshes out of the bucket it carries soil out with it 3) there is no way to get an accurate contour on the bottom of the pond.

No matter what equipment is used, if you want an accurate bottom (depth and contour), they will have to pump the water out as it seeps in. If you are getting charged by the hour for equipment, then you will be $$ ahead if the water is pumped out. (the operator can fill the bucket fuller with dry/moist/wet soil than if water was sloshing out of the bucket with every lift.

From a machine owners standpoint, I would perfer to dig dry, rather than keep the pivot points submerged. The water helps wash out the grease and seems to me it that the pivots wear faster if they are constantly submerged.