Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Newbie Pond Question, natural pond

Hey guys, I have been reading on here for a couple of days. I own 15 acres and much of it is a natural pond. We have had a couple of dry years and I am thinking about ways to increase depth. There are no rocks and just basically grass. I am next to a river as well. The pond level and river level are not the same. The pond is spring fed. In the pictures the yard area between the pond and river are 100 feet to give you an idea. I dont think heavy equipment is much of an option unless a long drag line? I can hire three tough hard working laborers for $10 per hour? I cant find if a suction dredge and sediment bags are really an option?

What do you experts think?

Thank you!
Yaakmt

What is the current elevation difference between the current level of the pond and the river?

What's the pond diameter? Guessing @ 125'

Do you know the inflow rate of the spring(s)?

Edit: Upon further notice, is all that green stuff around the water a swampy area?

If you did a hole 3', 5' or 10' deep next to the pond does it fill up with water?

Is it a spring (a true spring that has water flowing out of it) or just ground water that is seeping out of the ground to fill the pond?

If it's a ground water pond, you will be at the mercy of the water level in the ground, which you are seeing now. If it is a true "spring" with water flow, hopefully the water enters the pond at a higher elevation than the current water level.

If it is a ground water pond, or if the spring is inside the pond below the current water level, anytime you have water pressure in the pond that is greater than the water pressure in the spring or ground water, the water will flow out of the pond. There is no one way valve on them.......

Currently the river is about four feet below the pond level.

The pond diameter is maybe 125-200'

I am not sure of the inflow rate. Of course it varies with rain and snowpack. Both of which have been light the last two years.

Yes, swampy area around pond.

Last August we could drive atvs out to the mud area.

Thank you!

A hole right next to the pond will fill with water.

Im not sure if it is ground water or a spring... I believe it is a spring because a hole dug 100' from the pond does not fill with water. I have a septic system for the house.

Thank you!

Yaakmt, would it be possible for you to pump water from the river to your pond during dry times? I realize water rights can be a major deal out West, but it sure seems tempting with the river so close.

Yes absolutely its possible and I do it. My only thought is a little more depth maybe keep some brookies in it plus it would look nicer.

I have three pumps.... Honda 3 inch, 2 inch and NT HP 2 inch sprinkler pump.

Thank you!

Since you have a four foot drop, I would be tempted to dig a trench from the pond to the river and drain as much as possible. If you can get a four-wheeler close to the water's edge in dry times, then dropping that water level will get it even drier. And since you can get a four-wheeler on it, seems very likely you could get a track hoe there too.

Then I would dig a deep hole in the pond, or very near the edge, and start pumping. Use that hole to get the water to drain into it, go deeper if necessary. Then start digging out the main area, making adjustments as needed. This is based on if your pumps can keep up with the inflow. If not then you might go around the edges with a long reach hoe.

There is a dragline set-up called a sauerman's bucket that will let you dragline any size/distance. But it's a much slower process, and most can't handle the operation of it.

If you dig a trench, you may want to put a pipe and valve in it somewhere so if the river rises it don't flood your work area.