Thank you all for responding.

To better explain: I want a bed of gravel all the way around my pond, I hope to cut down on chemicals. Pulling weeds out of my pond took a lot of dirt with them and messed up the sides.

I don't know what kind or size of stone I should get. Would a larger stone slide more or less? How many inches (deep)of stones do you think it will take to cut down on weeds? My only concern I have about the rocks is if my dogs will be able to walk on them.

When my pond is re-dug, could the pond sides be "cut in" at the end of the rock area (underwater) to hold them there?

How deep in should the rocks go? If I could afford it I would put stones or rocks everywhere the water was 5' deep or less, then my dogs couldn't stir up the bottom. \:\)

Do they place the rocks with a bulldozer? If so, will the bulldozer help pack the stones?

Victor, your swale is nice! Thanks for posting the picture.

[Linked Image from i108.photobucket.com]