Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions compaction in wet conditions

This probably answered somewhere else.

We are re-working the catfish pond. The basin was never compacted so it never held water well. Only parts of the basin ever had water as it never held enough to fill more than a quarter of the pond. We have drained the remaining water but the basin is still wet and mucky. I want to strip the top 6" off and then compact the soil, add DB200, roll, add 8" of good clay and roll again. As we rolled the mini-excavator into the pond it sank about 2 feet into the muck. We were able to drive it out but are concern that it might get stuck. I am planning on taking 1 month off (June) to allow for some drying time before renting more equipment to strip basin.

QUESTION:
Basin is 2-3 feet deep before hitting rock

There is no standing water in the pond at this time unless it rains.

1. Will one month be enough time to allow some of the moisture to leave?
and firm up the muck so equipment can work in the basin?

or do I need to wait longer?

2. After 1 month will a wheeled skidloader be able to handle the muck

or will I risk getting stuck?

3. How firm or dry (not mucky)does the soil need to be in order for a smooth shell or sheepfoot roller to work and not get stuck? If a mini-excavator sank what will a heavy 23,000 lb roller do?

Or as the roller begins will it firm up the soil immediately to allow movement?

4. Since the soil is mucky, would a sheepsfoot or flat shell vibrating roller be better?

Which one could handle the muck better?


Hopefully these questions make sense to you all.

thanks