A couple of months ago, I decided to make an attempt at installing a log dam in one of my ponds. Its sole purpose was to increase the surface area for ice skating later this winter.

The dam was working well until a heavy rain this past week. Knowing nothing about the engineering/water dynamics involved with dams, I guess the increased water runoff must of scoured the underneath of the log enough to force it out of the shallow trench it had been placed in. Although the pond has dropped back to normal levels, with a nice 8" "ring around the collar", I'd like to give it another go next summer.

Placement of the dam would be at a point in the outlet that is only 8' wide. I'm thinking of excavating a trench 2' wide, 12' long x 18" deep. In this trench, I'd bore two 6" holes with my post hole auger. Once this is done, lay in some rebar and pour cement. The finished product would look like the "pi" symbol. To increase eye appeal, I'm thinking of laying up some flat stone to give the dam a \_______/ look to it.

I'm hoping the combined weight of the concrete and stone will keep this dam in place. My goal would be to raise the water level 8-10". Lookiing for comments on this approach.