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Yesterday at 03:05 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9 |
I am going to be putting in a 2 acre pond on my Iowa farm this year. I live in SE Iowa (anyone with pond construction companies recommendations in this area let me know). I got my first bid which came in at $35k which was quite more than I thought it would be, thought closer to $20k? - the pond will be built in a steep valley with a new dam on one end. The pond will be about 30 feet deep and will have steep sides in order to keep the water cool. I was planning on stocking it with fatheads and golden shiners the first year and then stocking yellow perch, walleye and rainbow trout in 2017. The base will be naturally occurring clay, the pond will collect rain runoff from about 8 acres. My questions to you all are this. 1.Is this a decent price? 2. Will this fish mix work well together and thrive (I know walleye probably won't breed). 3. Will I need added air to be introduced due to size and pond depth? 4. Does anyone have recommendations for additional pond contractor bids in my area? I have three other ponds on this farm that have white crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish which is why I want to diversify the species for this new pond. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,436 Likes: 22
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,436 Likes: 22 |
That's only 4 to 1 watershed, which is probably not adequate for that size pond. Around 3/4 acre would be about right.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9 |
That # did not include the water surface in the count. I actually just went on Beacon Schneider and did a more accurate count it's closer to 11.6 acres including water surface area.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,555 Likes: 411
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,555 Likes: 411 |
Your local NRCS office might have a list of contractors that have signed up with them. Mine did. However, the list does not assure that the dozer drivers know anything about pond construction.
Look at ponds around your area and ask who did them and if they were happy with the result.
Educate yourself about pond building PRIOR to starting. I would contact the Pond boss office and buy Mike Otto's book "Just Add Water". It will answer questions that you and I don't know enough to ask.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa
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