Let me start by saying that I believe I found the right place...I was looking up things on pond repair and stumbled into here last night and just reading through the threads I'm alittle overwhelmed.
I'm 30 and my wife and I just bought our place last week, we were very excited as this place has a small pond. We got a really good deal on the property because if the severe neglect and condition of the property as a whole. Which is fine by us as we are self sufficiency types and now we own rather than rent we will no longer be hindered.
The pond: its a small pond which is fed by a small brook (branch, creek, tributary, what have you) the previous owner said that he believed this to be a natural pond. I concur based on the fact that there is no evidence of levees or shoring done. The property as a whole was purchased in the condidtion it is now by the previous owner. And he has not visited it much. Thats about all the history I know of it. (Aside from the fact that the person who owned it before the one Igot it from was quite trashy...)
The water level is almost 2 feet below the surface of ground level, which I believe to be low considering the way the banks look. The dam/spill way has a junky, half hearted pile of rubble for a damn which has apparently blown out at some point. After there's a small creek that just meanders into the woods on the opposite side if the property.
The ponds water is dark and is pretty scummy looking. Previous owner said he thought it was stocked but not certain. Lots of underwater plants (not sure what) in the places that you can see into the water to the bottom near the edges...maybe pond lillies.
I want to repair and revive this pond to what it could/ should be. I want to make it an attractive part of the landscape and have it stocked to fish in as well as let the kids swim. I dint even know where to begin.
Any advise woukd be emmencely appreciated.
Will post pics VERY soon
