Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Drag line vs Vaccuum vs. track hoe

They make some pretty big pumps. If you really wanted to keep it 95% dry for the excavation, you can. You just have to dig a hole for the water to accumulate into, and pump the water out just as fast as it comes in. Been there, done that, in areas that have high water tables and the pond needed cleaning out, so I know it's possible to do it.

The pump may have to be moved during the clean-out, to keep it in the lowest point of the pond. Put the end of the suction hose inside an innertube and float it 18" or so below the water surface. Low enough to prevent from sucking air, high enough to prevent from sucking up a lot of dirt.