I will be putting in a 1 acre pond this summer and would like some help with the design. The pond will measure approximately 300' X 150' with the long side running north/south. There is currently a waterway that runs through this area that carries water 3 or 4 times per year. There is also a 10 inch main tile line running throuth the waterway which will supply water to the pond. Water level will be regulated with an outlet tile connected to the 10 inch main. Overflow will be allowed on the north end at approximately 2 feet higher than the outlet tile.

I am looking for suggestions on how to contour the pond floor. Here is how I currently have it laid out. All depths are measured from the top of the outlet tile. South end tapers at 15 degrees to a depth of 4' for a distance of 45' then drops off over a distance of another 45' to a depth of 13'. The north end mirrors the south end except the 15 degree slope is changed to 30 degrees. The west side tapers at an angle of 15 degrees to a depth of 13 feet while the east side tapers at an angle of 30 degrees to a depth of 13 feet. Total floor area at 13 feet depth is approximately 0.2 acres. Soil type is heavy blue clay and I am located in NE Illinois, south of I-80. I would like to stock it with BGs and LMB.

Any suggestions on how to improve this layout? What percentage of the floor should be developed for spawning and at what depth? What percentage of the floor needs to be at maximum depth?