Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam How do you build a dam with a flowing creek?

I have a 2 acre swamp on my property that at one time was a pond. It was formed by damming the creek bed that flows through a small valley. The creek long ago breached the dam. I have been clearing all the brush off the old dam and built a small bridge to span the breach, but I've been thinking about rebuilding the dam to create a new pond. My questions is this, there is a lot of water flowing from my swamp. What do you do with this water while your dam is being constructed?

The dam would be approximately 170' long. The old dam looks like it was built from rocks and soil, so it would need to be removed I'm guessing? Any rough cost estimates to construct this dam?

If it's a "blue line" creek, I don't know if it's worth the expense and hassle.

I don't think it is esshup. The water originates in my swamp (full of springs), but it does dump into a local lake that would be approximately 500' down stream. I have spoken to someone with the Michigan DNR in the past but did not have them out to look at the property because at the time I wasn't ready financially to start the project. I'm just curious how the logistics of building a dam and dealing with the water works. The creek is only a few feet wide, but it has a good flow of water.

Divert the flow around your future dam location either by digging a new channel, or some serious pumping?

Is this local lake you speak of on your property? Dredging or excavating in such a way that silt or debris enters another BOW could be a huge red flag...just saying.

What Tony said. If you can redo the dam, divert the water around the area. Coffer dams are temp dams to allow you to work in a previously wet area. Once the work is completed, the coffer dam is removed to let the actual dam do it's job.

Interlocking steel pieces that look like the letter W are used, and pounded down into the dirt. A vibratory puller is used to remove them.

Interesting. I will have to read up on coffer dams. I know it's a long shot to get approval for this project, but it's worth looking into.