Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations To rip-rap or not to rip-rap, that is the question

Rainman, considering the looks of the limestone, in one of the old threads there were some pond owners that did not like the looks of the crushed limestone around the pond. Thought it looked industrial or fake. I had mentioned that I like the looks of fake and that it made it look like I had actually done something with the pond as opposed to all the "natural" that I have all over the rest of my farm in the woods and waste areas of the farmstead. But good looks is always something of a personal nature, so each to his own personal preference. But I digress.

What I want to point out, and at some later date when mine turns all the way to grass will get some pictures, is that even a limestone lined pond bank, or road all the way around the pond like mine, in our climate at least will be all grass within a few years. If I wanted to keep my banks looking like I had them lined with limestone or the driveways looking like driveways, I would have to use a chemical to keep the grass at bay.

So in a climate like mine (42" of rain a year average), I could not keep the looks of a limestone lined pond even if I wanted to without a LOT of work. Mine is already mostly covered in grass and in another couple years there will be no limestone visible. It all goes back to grass eventually anyway. So even if a person does not care for the looks of crushed limestone, nature eventually wins out and the banks start looking more natural anyway (but I have a shore line that does not wash away and a road base that I can drive on in any weather without making ruts around my pond). That was my long winded point. I wish my pond would keep that industrial gravel pit look, but it will not. The grass will win out.