Hollowpond,
First, welcome to PB. We're starting to get more and more of us in this area -- Virginia, West Virginia, and Southern PA. I'm actually over in the Capon Bridge area.
Your planned description sounds a lot like my present pond. I've put in two settling ponds above mine, and I've encouraged a wetlands area. It stays pretty clean and full.
I do know a couple of real good dirt movers who I would trust. I'll send you a PM with their contact info. They've put in lots of ponds, but I don't consider either of them pond experts. The nice thing is that both are willing to work with people, and they know the local area well.
One of the nice things about this part of WV is that it isn't too difficult to make a pond that will hold water. Even during droughts, we get enough water to keep ponds full.
A good pond should be more than just a bowl shaped hole in the ground. It should have spawning areas. It needs cover. It needs a good emergency spillway. It needs the right kind of slopes to keep the weeds down, but not so steep that it is dangerous. Many other factors need to be considered too.
I'm a little short on time in the next couple of days. Maybe somebody can help by posting links to some of the really good pond building threads. One that comes to mind is the new pond that Theo Gallus put in two seasons ago. Lots of good ideas, and lots of photos. I can't remember if our friend "Mongo" posted some of his projects, or if they were in the magazine, and presented at our conferences. Mongo builds fantastic ponds.
If you haven't contacted
Dr. Ken Semmens at the WVU Extension Service, you need to meet him. He knows more about West Virginia ponds than anybody, and he is great to work with. He knows all the right people involved in WV ponds, and he can get you lined up with all the best people. He comes to our area somewhat frequently, as he has a number of projects over at the Reyman Research Center in Wardensville.
Dr. Ken has lots of good stuff posted on these websites:
WVU Aquaculture Extension Service WV Aquaculture Extension Bob Lusk's and Mike Otto's books are probably the very best place to start. See
Pond Boss Books. I'd strongly recommend starting with "
PERFECT POND...WANT ONE?"
Mike's website is at
Otto's Dirt Service.
This site is owned by Bob Lusk and Mike Otto. Bob is probably the nation's best private-waters consultant. Mike is probably the best pond builder.
Enough for now.
Again, welcome.
Ken G.
