Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Comments or input about our site

This isn't really a site selection question, as we only have one real choice, but I'd still like any comments or input about what we're hoping to do.

We built here three years ago, and the creek was mostly dry the last two years but we've had a severe drought. This year, we've had tons of rain and we get a LOT of runoff. I am posting two Google pics (I hope) - the first shows the area north of our property. We get the overflow from two ponds and actually got some of their fish earlier this year. With our recent record rains, quite a bit of the proposed pond area was covered with water. We don't know how the creek would be in a "normal" year because we haven't seen one yet!

The second photo shows a very rough idea of the pond area. We will encompass the current creek from north to south (top to bottom in the photos). Where the creek cuts back to the east (right), we will fill it in so that our dam actually backs up to ground that is higher than what the dam will be. (Does that make sense?) Any/all water that leaves the pond will be forced to go over the spillway and on into the creek that goes south, which some water actually did with this spring's rain. The Google pics are old. We've cleared quite a few trees since these were taken but some will remain on the spillway.

As I first posted last week, we are TRYING to work with the NRCS on this as we know the runoff information is important but...

Thoughts? Suggestions?

It does make sense. The area marked "dam" is where you intend to excavate, core the dam, use the best clay soils and build your dam, right? If so, you are approaching it properly. Don't move an ounce of dirt until you have finished your due diligence. If you haven't ordered our book, "Perfect Pond," you need to do that right away. It takes you through this process, step by step. Keep trying with the NRCS, too. Get USDA Handbook 590 about building ponds and lakes. Shoot the elevations...your idea is on the right track, but you need to do more homework. You might even think about calling Mike Otto and paying him to come help.

Okie, I second what Lusk said. Perfect Ponds is invaluable when you are trying to get started. Mike Otto is the best I've seen when it comes to building a home for fish. Lots of people can push dirt to water cows but you need something a little, maybe a lot, different when you're looking forward to permanently altering your landscape. You can either enjoy it for years or be chapped for years.

I might add to what Bob said. Think about buying the last dozen or so Pond Boss magazines. Mike Otto has been doing a monthly article about pond building.

You will find that these will be the least expensive part of the process. Something like "measure twice and cut once".

Okie I agree with Bob and Dave 500% !!

We have 2 ponds that were made by guys like Mike (with knowledge and forethought) which work great and one we got second hand. The second hand one was poorly thought out and constructed. It is a huge frustration. In addition it cost more to fix it than to build a new one from scratch. It is in a good place so moving was not an option.

There is no substitute for the info in those publications as they represent years of experience from the experts. Take a quick look at this thread from the PB DFW meeting for some hints. It was written before "Perfect Pond" was available.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001964

From the archives - the DFW Reports
http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=22&t=000003