Loretta, how big is your backhoe? If it is a regular size TLB (not a mini) and if you do not have a pond liner or clay liner to worry about you might be able to do this.

Load the backhoe bucket with pea gravel or whatever your desired bedding material. Set the bucket into the pond up against the bank at the desired depth. Uncurl the bucket with the back of the teeth gouging out some mud towards the center of the pond. This should push out a little mud ledge for the gravel to sit in as the bucket uncurls and dumps into the new depression.

You might have to do one, get into the water and feel around with your feet to see if the desired effect happened. I think the fish will do the final job of leveling and rearranging the gravel to suit themselves. I don't think the job has to be particularly neat, just getting the gravel so it does not slide down the bank to the bottom.

John

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