Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction renovating old pond

Hi we have an old 2.5 acre pond. Very brown, leaking at overflow pipe, deep muck, shallow, cattails creeping in as water level decreasing, bullheads, leaches, snapping turtles and frogs. Stopping ground for many species waterfowl, herons/ducks/geese. Located in Western NY.

welcome to this wonderful site! what are your plans for this pond?

I would like to enjoy it without snapping turtles. I would like to have clean water, stock is with fish, dig it deeper to open up the filled in springs that feed it and put a more permanent overflow in it.

Can you dry it up?

I believe I can dry it up. Because it is leaking from the overflow the water level is down and it is growing cattails everywhere. If I remove the plastic covering the over flow I can decrease the water volume considerably...then see what I have to work with from there. The overflow leaking for years is made with culvert pipe right angled into the base of the dike. plastic was placed around the wooden structure holding the pipe years ago and it has since opened up. I was thinking of emptying the pond as much as I can let it freeze for the winter killing the cattails and then after spring rains next summer dozing it, trying to get water flow and a deeper bottom, aerating it if necessary then stocking it. I will need a big dozer or have someone come in to help with the trees and placement of the silt.

Freezing will only kill the cattails for the winter, they'll regrow once it warms back up in the Spring.

OK so when it dries up next summer I doze the cattails? I also have tree and bush growth around perimeter. I want to cut all that down and replant for erosion control. I think the key is to clean out the bottom and open up the springs. This is an old pond located on an under ground water shed that can be easily followed. This pond feeds farmers ponds and that is why I want no chemicals in it.

By "dozing" if that means removing the soil that has the roots of the cattails in it, then, yes, that would work. I don't have any cattails within 1/2 mile of my pond and I am pulling out small plants on a monthly basis. I'd estimate between 5 and 10 plants per month.

You have to stay vigilant on removing them before they gain a foothold. Plants that are 18" will be already sending out rizhomes 10" away that are starting to form new plants.

Yes the pond has to be dug out it is old shallow now and not much going on except alligator snapping turtles and some bullheads. The springs that keep it running most of the year are filled over. The hills surrounding it have grown trees that are falling back into it. It is such a mess right now.