That is accurate, I have done some small projects for them but pretty much withdrew from their list for larger ponds and projects, dont have the proper equipment for moving large amounts of dirt over long distances, really need scrapers for that, usually not able to get competitive on the prices of somebody with scrapers, they can move dirt so much more efficiently.
All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
Thanks for the Welcome Jeff. I see you are about an hour east of my property. I read your pond build with great interest since yours is kind of close to what I am doing. Hopefully yours is not leaking to much and keeping up with the rain. Where did you find your pond builder? Was he local to your area? Nice looking pond by the way!!
Thanks
Bill
Bill, my situation was sort of tricky. I have a neighbor that owns a big dozer. He’s built ponds all over Ralls Co, and even helped build Mark Twain Lake. I’m well aware that a good dozer operator does not equal a good pond builder. But for peace in the neighborhood and being one of only two absentee landowners around, I went with him. He had help from two brothers that also build ponds as a side line, but also sell timber. They cut all the trees, and arranged for the timber to be sold. That’s another can of worms. I was there almost every day, and I think I came out alright. Our share of the timber sales was $6,000 I think, which went a long way towards construction costs. I don’t think my leak is too bad. 1/4” a day, and evaporation is probably most of that. The agent from the USDA/Missouri Conservation office helped pick the spot, test the clay, measure the runoff, and make recommendations on emergency spillway pipe. Part of my leak may be coming from around the pipe, I am not sure. If we can stay out of a drought I’ll be fine. Like I said, I almost stopped the build. One of the pond building brothers told me, if it was his pond, he’d stop. We were too far along, and there wasn’t a good second choice, so I elected to finish. Really glad we did. Just wish I could spend more time there. Retiring in August, so getting a little more time for the pond should be doable. Post some pics of your place and project. Looking forward to watching it happen. Jeff
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
Thanks for the Welcome Jeff. I see you are about an hour east of my property. I read your pond build with great interest since yours is kind of close to what I am doing. Hopefully yours is not leaking to much and keeping up with the rain. Where did you find your pond builder? Was he local to your area? Nice looking pond by the way!!
Thanks
Bill
Bill, my situation was sort of tricky. I have a neighbor that owns a big dozer. He’s built ponds all over Ralls Co, and even helped build Mark Twain Lake. I’m well aware that a good dozer operator does not equal a good pond builder. But for peace in the neighborhood and being one of only two absentee landowners around, I went with him. He had help from two brothers that also build ponds as a side line, but also sell timber. They cut all the trees, and arranged for the timber to be sold. That’s another can of worms. I was there almost every day, and I think I came out alright. Our share of the timber sales was $6,000 I think, which went a long way towards construction costs. I don’t think my leak is too bad. 1/4” a day, and evaporation is probably most of that. The agent from the USDA/Missouri Conservation office helped pick the spot, test the clay, measure the runoff, and make recommendations on emergency spillway pipe. Part of my leak may be coming from around the pipe, I am not sure. If we can stay out of a drought I’ll be fine. Like I said, I almost stopped the build. One of the pond building brothers told me, if it was his pond, he’d stop. We were too far along, and there wasn’t a good second choice, so I elected to finish. Really glad we did. Just wish I could spend more time there. Retiring in August, so getting a little more time for the pond should be doable. Post some pics of your place and project. Looking forward to watching it happen. Jeff
Jeff, yeah I wondered if my Timber is worth anything. I hate to just bulldoze it up and burn it. Not sure its worth trying to find someone or not. Something is better than nothing if its going up in smoke!!
Can’t hurt to find out. Prices were up when I built 4.5 years ago. I doubt they’ve come down.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
Just an update on my pond build! Just wanted to let you all know I have not gone away. Met with 3 contractors and all three are very knowledgeable and have built a lot of ponds between them. All three on time and very professional! It was great meeting all of them on the property during the last few days and walking around the possible pond site and discussing the build and design. Next step is to have the site shot to get a better understanding of how many yards of dirt will need to be pushed and trees to remove. Once the pond site is shot and we come up with a plan, the contractors will be able to submit their bids based on each having he same plan. In the mean time I will start checking references. Currently I think its going to be a difficult decision once the bids are in and if they are not to far off from each other. I could not be happier with my choices for possible contractors. They each bring something unique to the table for the build. More updates to come as the process continues.
Welcome to the PB site and to Missouri, I have learned very much on pond build from this site. I have been working on a pond for more years than I care to mention, but I am building it myself with the help and knowledge of the site, I did get it cleared, keyway and dam, but being a PM for a construction company I have traveled most of the year for the last 10 years. Only been able to work on it a few days a year. In February of 2018 in a weekend of rain It was full, note I was not finished building yet, sooo I have a problem trying to finish it as it is still full ( it did go down about 3/4 of the way last summer but has since filled up again. enough said, good luck. It really is labor of love.
Good luck to both of you guys. MWB, it sounds like you’ve got three good builders to work with. I’m trying to remember, did you get the guys from the Dept of Conservation to come out? They laid out my drainage area on their maps, evaluated clay content and made recommendations. Gave me 80%+ chance of success. His major concern was my drainage area. Just 10 ac for a 1 ac pond. He thought the clay was great. It turned out to be the opposite. I have enough drainage, but not too much that’s for sure. But we did not find as good a clay as we had originally projected. He also designed the emergency overflow. More than adequate.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
Good luck to both of you guys. MWB, it sounds like you’ve got three good builders to work with. I’m trying to remember, did you get the guys from the Dept of Conservation to come out? They laid out my drainage area on their maps, evaluated clay content and made recommendations. Gave me 80%+ chance of success. His major concern was my drainage area. Just 10 ac for a 1 ac pond. He thought the clay was great. It turned out to be the opposite. I have enough drainage, but not too much that’s for sure. But we did not find as good a clay as we had originally projected. He also designed the emergency overflow. More than adequate.
Jeff, yes they did come out and shoot the property to determine the size of dam, pipe, and number of yards of dirt that will need to be moved. Waiting on bids now. Looking at close to a 3 acre pond. I could go much bigger but that means more timber to remove etc. Plus I am sure it would blow the budget!
Well as I stated in prior updates. This is going to be a tough decision on which contractor to use. I have 2 bids in so far and there is only 441.00 difference in the bids! I would never have thought it would be that close but it just proves if you do as much up front planning as possible it can help tremendously. I think having the NCRS come out and shoot the property and write up a plan that calculates pipe size, dam length and yards of dirt needing moved etc. helped a lot. It will be curious to see what the 3rd bid comes in at.
Hi all, I am still around. It has been a busy summer getting things lined up but the construction has begun on the pond and land clearing. I will start posting as I get things edited. I will have still pics, ground video and drone video of the progress. To wet the taste buds day one the equipment arrives. Hopefully you will all enjoy the journey with me as I am enjoying watching it progress along with some additional land clearing which I will include.
Hi all, so here is Day 1 of the Pond Build and Land Clearing for house and for view of the Pond. They did not start until after lunch do to doing all the maintenance on their machines coming off a previous job. So they worked about 3 hours and surprisingly knocked down a lot of trees in a short time. In one of my previous post I had a still shot showing the entrance deep into the woods. Please like and Subscribe so you will keep up on my Video submissions. I will post Day 2 as soon as I can.
Thanks and I hope you enjoy as much as I am enjoying watching the build live.
Greg, so far I could not be more pleased with the pond build and land clearing. He has some great guys that have been with him 15 or more years doing the work. They definitely know what they are doing and have built a many of ponds around the Columbia area. As I stated previously in postings, I checked references for all contractors being considered.
That looks awesome, they do great work, second if not third generation of dirt work here in central MO. how much area are you going to have covered in water?
All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
That looks awesome, they do great work, second if not third generation of dirt work here in central MO. how much area are you going to have covered in water?
Jake,
Not sure exactly. NRCS shot it around 2 1/2 to 3 acres when they first went out. My guess not bigger than that. Lots of trees were cleared out so when we build a house next year we can see from the house. So it appears bigger. Of course Dave said they can raise the Dam if I want more water! He was great to work with!