Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Draining Old Farm Pond

Chuck, with a water temperature of 66�F all summer long, trout will live in the pond all year long.

I would use a 3" semi trash pump to drain the water from the pond, and cut steps in the side of the pond to place the pump as close to the water level as possible as the pond water level drops.

I would dig a test hole to see what the soil is like at the different depths, that will allow you to determine how deep to dig the pond. If you run into clay, stockpile it to put back in the pond bottom and compact it with a sheepsfoot roller to get good compaction. Don't plan on getting the proper compaction with the tracks from the excavator or from the tracks on a dozer.