Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site where to start

Hi, we just bought some land in central illinois and want to put in a pond.We have a ravine about 100yards long and 30-40 yard with that looks like it would work great to put a dam in at the end??How can we determin if the soil will hold the water?will all the trees have to be removed or can we leave most in there and let it flood? I just don't know where to start ?I have seen other pond build this way in the area,but don't know if they cleared everything out or just dammed it and let it fill? Any helpful input would be great..THANKS BOB

You'll want to test the soil, but even then, removing the trees and lining with a good clay would make sure there are no leaks later on. Do you have any pictures you could provide us? What's the water source? How deep is the ravine?

Welcome to Pond Boss and you're sure to get some expert opinions here.

I'd first contact NRCS and ask them to do a site survey and soil survey. It should be free. You need to know how much watershed will be feeding your pond to properly size the overflow pipe and emergency spillway, and if the dirt won't hold water, then it's doable, but be prepared for water level headaches (like varying 6' from Spring to Winter).

it WILL BE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE I CAN GET BACK DOWN TO TAKE PICS,THE REVINE IS PROBABLY 25FT DEEP WHERE I WANT TO DAM IT UP.THE SIDES ARE AT A PRETTY STEEP ANGLE.WHAT IS BENTONITE AND HOW DOES IT WORK? CAN IT BE SPEAD OUT ON TOP OF THE SOIL BEFORE WE START TO DAM? I WILL TALK WITH THE NRCS FIRST AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THANKS!!!!

What county are you in? The only reason for asking is that I am in Schuyler county and could share some experiences I just had building my pond the last two years (see thread On Lassig Pond).

Bentonite is a volcanic clay that that expands 8 to 15 times it size. Great at sealing ponds, wells, oil rigs, making molds for castings, etc. Bentonite must be mixed with the soil and compacted. Doing this is an couple of lifts is best.

As much as it hurts to say this I wouldn't leave the sides of the ravines untouched. I would remove the trees and widen the pond out. Plus you are going to need material to make the Dam from where is this coming from?

Hi mark, it's bob(muzzy1) from qdma..I called the NRCS way back in early march and have called back 2 times and no one will return my calls for info on a soil test and where to start in getting a pond going ??? The ravine that im thinking of putting to dam in always has water flowing down it,seems like it just comming out of the hill side..I need to try to figure the cost to build this dam,as money is very tight now...I think the dam would be about 20-30 ft long and about 16-20 high ?? THANKS !!!!

had to make a new name old one wouldn't work for whatever reason.I got to talk with NRCS and he did his soil survey over the computer said they won't come out to do one ?? He said the first 55 inches is clay and then past 60" i think he said sand stone that will leak like a tub with an open drain..Told me i should be fine to dam up the ravine at its narrowest point and let her fill ???? dothe trees need to be removed ?or can i get away with leaving some in?? He told me he would emal a contracters list for the area? This sound to easy? how can he know the exact soil without checking it in person? ANY HELP WILL BE GREAT THANKS

The soil maps they have in our area seem pretty accurate. I'm not sure how they obtained the info.
It's standard procedure that the NRCS office keep a list of local contractors.
They are not supposed to recommend or suggest not using any specific contractor.
30 ft long, 20 ft high. 3:1 slopes, 12 ft wide top = 30x20x72= 43,200 square feet = 1600 cubic yards.
Suggestion - get the contractors list. Ask each of them for the addresses of 3 or 4 ponds that they have built that you can see from the road. Go drive by and look at all of them. "Maybe" you can strike up a conversation with some of the pond owners and they will show off their pond to you.
Perhaps you'll see some ponds you like by a contractor. Then you can meet with him and ask what methods he used on those ponds and what methods he would use on yours.

well its been 6 days and no list. So i will try to find my own contractor in the area to get some idea of the cost ???

I'd send lassig a PM (private message) and see who he recommends. He's recently dug a pond, and is in the same county.

Hay Bob, sorry I didn't see this. I was fishing on Lake Erie all of last week and the week before was busy at work. I will be at the farm all weekend starting tonight so stop on over if you have the chance. I can show you what I did and it sounds like you have a very similar situation. If your not around just give me a call and we can discuss this. There are a couple of folks that do this work in the county that I can give you names and numbers for.