Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations old pond

In a recent fit of madness and little consideration I decided I�ll try to clean out my pond and fix a few leaks, what the heck I�m a redneck w/ a few masters degree�s and the ability to operate heavy machinery...I�ll cut to the chase, the pond was built in the 40�s every oldtimer �swam� in it when they were a pup. So big trees on the dam, six feet of pudding silt, no clay on the bottom (bedrock) and a constant run of spring water. Oh yes the pond was built on top of the spring �I almost grasp that whole hydrostatic pressure thing� I have a soil engineer friend who comes by and shakes his head everyday. The problem is multi faceted and here lies the question how to close this can of worms. I�m a week into this and way over budget, I�ve taken out the trees on the top and inside of the dam. Cleaned out 75% of the sludge, pumped a few thousand gallons of rain and spring water (it doesn�t rain in Texas in august), platted the inside core of the dam and found organic matter, gravel seems, bedrock, and a bunch of old dr. pepper bottles on the bottom. I�ve found red clay, blue clay, white clay, and in areas 5ft. thick (which is best by the way). overwhelming...and I have displaced millions of bullfrog, crawfish, salimander, turtles, and snakes. No fish not a one. Hind site starting over would have been the choice but now I�m in the thick mud of it I need ideas and so far this group has been great reading but time is short.

The trees on the dam bother me. The roots should be down into the heart of the dam. If you have killed them and the roots rot, you just might have a permanent problem.

If the pond has been there forever, it seems cleaning it out should be ok.

By the way, I have first hand experience in just how meaningless your stated qualifications are. You are in the same jam that I have gotten myself into on numerous occasions.

Jeff, you didn't say how big this water hole/money pit is. I think I might get a pond pro involved. You could call your county agent or the NRCS. The NRCS guys are usually pretty sharp. I have noticed that they usually have both education and experience. They also work with pond pros in their area. I have found on some of my fiascos that I can usually spend less on a good knowledgeable person that I can on diesel fuel. Of course, I usually find that out after the fact.

A small fortune is what the pro's wanted...The pond is around 1 acre and the money pit is growing. All we have around here is our usda soil guys and being good friends with them I am aware of the lack of "good help" in this area.The good ones I can't afford and the rest are, well as bad as I am. For instance I've got a dirt guy here right now who has a 13 yard truck and at his current rate of dirt excavation the pond will be done say 2007.

What no shuttle debris?

Had a good day on the pond today the 105 temp. help keep things dry. Found two small pieces of shuttle on my land, that stuff was all over the place in town.