Hello all, my Name is Greg Bickal, from Toddville Iowa (5 minutes north of Cedar Rapids). I grew up playing in the creeks and marshes. I am a full time Internet programmer. I have had rubber lined ponds for over 15 years, and I have a side business I breed and sell Japanese Koi. Im very experienced with liner ponds and filtration. I am a frequent member of many of the other koi related forums. I found your forum when I was researching drop inlet spillways. Your site has a great wealth of information.
I recently purchased 25 acre pasture to build natural ponds. This property has a upstream watershed of around 450 acres. 2 small creeks enter the property from the north, and leave the property from the south as one stream. 2012 was a severe drought for Iowa and these streams continue to flow at least 1-2 gallons per minute. The property has a drop in elevation from north to south of about 20 feet.
My plan is to build around a 4 acre excavated main pond, with additional ponds upstream to control silt. Maybe some small water control structures. This main system will not be for koi but native species, plants, ducks, geese, etc. Wetland enhancement Habitat.
I have all my permits from the Army Corp, NRCS, County, Wetland delineation, Etc. I have a local experienced excavating contractor who is willing to dig my ponds for free by giving him the dirt. He has shown me another 2 acre pond that he build for another land owner. I also have purchased my own Bobcat E32 mini excavator to assist where possible.
