Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations New pond project

Ok, here we go again. On another thread I mentioned that I had moved and have about a 1/3A empty pond. When I Googled the location (and the previous owners confirmed) it has been full in the past. The way this pond will be filled is by pumping water uphill from a creek about 250' away - (suggestions)
I'm hoping to enlarge to about 1/2A+ and will have a good idea what is possible when I talk to the builder early next week.
The pond has never been as full as it can be - notice the trees on the dam (right side of pix below). The dam is about 150' long


Next is a pix from middle of dam looking to far end. There was only about a foot of water until recent rains - now there's more to be pumped out. There is a hole about 20'x20'x5' in the bottom, so in the deep end there is 5-6' of water in some spots.


Here's one looking back from far end toward the dam. I'm hoping to add to the pond by going back into the woods to the right of the pvc pipe.


OK, that's what we're working with. I bought this place in East AL, and moved in 3 weeks ago. It's just a small cabin in the woods, but has 10.3A and lots of potential, and I really like it. Figuring out the pump is an issue, getting the trees off the dam & repairing the dam is another, and adding size to the pond is another, and we haven't even talked about fish yet. Allrighty then, let's get busy with thoughts, suggestions, ideas etc - I'm not gettin' any younger!!!
Randy

Really sweet setting there. Congrats!

Do you have electricity to the pond? If not will you establish electricity? Just wondering about aeration.

My vote is for a SMB, HSB, YP, RES and HBG lake. Spotfin shiner and grass shrimp along with pellet program make up the forage base.

I am unaware of anyone in AL pond management with YP or SMB in their fishery - would be cool to try! I know SMB are in AL reservoirs though, right? You can always switch over to a LMB/BG fishery if the SMB and YP experiment fail.

TJ, thanks. Electricity to the pond is in the budget - the pump will be electric.
I thought about RES, BG and about 25-30 HSB or 10-12 Female LMB - I think
I'll go for the big BG this time.
Since I'm in AL now, I could try some tilapia.
I plan to aerate, and feed them 'til they scream "no mas".

Your pond sure is going to have a beautiful setting. Have you moved here permanently or is this serving as a retreat/getaway?

This is my new home. First time I've lived more than 20 miles from downtown Atlanta
(except for 4 yrs in college & 4 yrs in Navy) since we moved to GA in the '40's. Also,
I haven't lived in a place for more than 5 years is 50 years.

This little place has got great potential, and I'll have many interesting projects, so I'm happy and welcome the challenges.

Have you sent a note to your new neighbors apologizing in advance for:

Playing bagpipes beneath the full moon at midnight on cabin roof...

Practicing Sasquatch mating calls likewise beneath full moon at midnight on cabin roof;

Girlish screams when the city boy catches his first glimpse of a black bear in your garbage cans? [beneath a full moon at midnight, of course]

TJ, hope you're wrong about bears. If not, then you're definitely right about the girlish screams. The pond people are coming Thursday morning, so I'll have a good idea about the direction we'll be taking then. I'll report back then...

Glad the move went well. You have a good looking project to keep you busy. Plenty of room to make some changes. What is the plan ?

If the creek has the fall, I would use a hydraulic ram pump. It would run with no cost. Maintenance would be minimal and you can build it from part you can get from the local big box store.

Here is a link to one example:

http://www.clemson.edu/irrig/equip/ram.htm

Congratulations, Randy!

Is pumping the water uphill the only water source?

Did you sell your last place? As I recall, that was a 'newer to you' place!??

I have had a few very close encounters with black bears in Montana while fly fishing and if I had time to catch my breath I would have been screaming like a busload of school girls. Amazing how many folks used to black bears treat them almost like a nuisance squirrel - chase them out of their backyards with a broom, etc. Very brave!

Can't wait to see your projects evolve...

Thanks for the replies:
Eric, the move went real well. Everything went off smoothly. Not so with my previous house - they sale fell thru last Friday.
Highflyer, I like those Ram pumps, but I don't think I could get enough water -the creek is about 250' away and 75' uphill.
Sunil, the creek and run-off are my only sources of water. I'm surprised that you haven't suggested that I get fatheads in there immediately!!!
This is going to be a real challenge, but I think/hope/pray that it'll work out. I'm looking forward to the ride...

You should get some fatheads in there immediately.

Update, I bought fatheads 2 weeks ago, and have managed to kill most of them, while I wait for the dirt moving to start. The equipment came in today, and the work starts tomorrow. Can't wait!!

We got all the trees etc. from around the entire lake today, and will burn and clear more tomorrow. Big rain coming Wed, so we need to rock & roll tomorrow...

Dam cleared (see picture at top of thread).

View from far end of pond (see third picture of my first post).

I see a big fire in the near future ! You going to cut some up to burn later ?

No, burning it all now. Still got about 5 more big trees (pines) to take down and also
cleaning a lot of other underbrush while they're here. Still got to get the pump & pvc pipes figured out, but we're working on it.

Wow looks like fun! Nice work Randy...what are your plans for a fishery? How's the watershed looking in terms of keeping your pond full pool?

TJ, watershed is ok, but not large enough to keep the pond full - that's where the pump comes in to play. I'm a little concerned about that part of the equation, but we're working on it and hope to have it solved soon. I know it'll work, but we have to get everything coordinated just right.
As for the fish, I'm still leaning toward CNBG, RES, HSB and of course, fatties...

Cleaning and burning between rain showers. More forecast for the next 4 days.

Looks like some good saw logs there for future campfires? Guess you guys out East are surrounded by timber though...being from NE I'd be out there cutting and stacking! I love burning pine/spruce/fir/...especially outside for campfires. Talk about a pretty tall flame!

Project sure looks like it's coming along nicely. Are you able to operate the dozer? That would be blast rolling through and snapping those trees.

TJ, sorry I missed your reply. No I can't operate a dozer or any big equipment.
We've been down for a few days, but up and going strong now. I want to be finished and planting grass this Thursday eve.
What is the best grass to plant right now. Weather is great with possible rain Fri- Mon. I know this has been addressed, but as usual, I don't pay attention until something directly effects me.

OK, here's the latest. The pond builder & equipment, and plumber/electrician are finished and gone and paid. I planted rye & bermuda last Thur and got rain Thur & today.
Water is flowing into the pond from the creek. Not a lot of gpms, but you just work with what you got, right... While we were digging at the far end, we open up a small dribble of a spring. The good thing is that it's about a foot below the water line (when full), and is at least saturating the ground at the end. I have been spending most of my time picking up rocks, sticks and root etc, but it's looking better, and when the grass comes up and the pond fills it should look pretty good. I would guess that at least 90% of us have been through this procedure before, but it's fun every time isn't it??

Dam and pipe bringing in the water.


This is from the other end looking back at the dam. Just off to the right at this end is another pvc pipe that I can switch to for a little water coming in at this end at the same time.


Also, I'm going to build a small dock near the dam, and the plumber/electrician is going to give me about 5 pvc "trees" for structure. I'll have plenty of time for the dock and structure, because it'll probably take 2 weeks+ to fill pond (with no rain).

Nice Job Randy !! You have enough water for FH. With warm temps and rain you should have grass quick.

Yes its a blast every time !!!

Looks just right for the fatheads now.