Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site rocky pond site

I'm addicted to this forum, and I don't even have a pond...yet! Closed this past week on 51 acres in eastern KS. Watershed drains approx 112 acres, haven't surveyed pond site yet but nrcs guy says based on topo map should be able to back up 6 to 7 surface acres. Dam site has good clay beneath a narrow limestone shelf. Here is my first question of many.

There is a rock ledge that runs down east side of draw, this ledge will be partially flooded at full pool. I've read the prevailing wisdom in this situation is to excavate and refill with clay. Only thing is the previous owners have a pond across the road that was dug approx 20 years ago, half the pond bank consists of limestone rock ledges, it never goes dry, holds water exceptionally, and it looks really cool too. Is there a difference in the water retention capability of different rocks formations?

Second issue, this will confirm that I'm an idiot. I love those dead timber reservoirs. I want dead trees sticking up out of my pond (my wife told me I couldn't which is additional motivation). Has anyone had a positive experience not cleaning out all your trees in existing ponds. And ya'll don't go hammering me on this one. I've read all the posts on bottom preparation, just wanted to see if anyone has had any luck doing it the wrong way.

My hat's off to all you guys, this is a great forum. Bob's books are great, and I've got to get Nicole her money for every back issue ever published, well maybe not all of them...

If this posts twice please let me know what I'm doing wrong.

Pedro,
So far as the rocks go .. if you don't mind spending the money to redo it if it doesn't work out .. leave the rocks. Personally I'm with you .. that's what I'd do!
The dead timber issue is only a problem if you attract alot of water birds (fish eaters). The dead trees give them a place to perch & spy your fish!

pedro

i left about 14 tree's standing in my lake and yes they look good.bad news,when they die everything lands in the water.and yes,you can loose your share of baits in there.all said and done,i would have trimmed alot or the smaller branches off the tree's.the big branches are still in the tree's after 3 yrs and holding up very good.but i must have hundred's of small branches in the water.

rick, didn't think about providing habitat for the water turkeys, although I don't see as many here as I do down south.
lee, thanks for the tip on cutting smaller limbs.

Have a couple of contractors coming out next week. I'll send pics as we progress.

I used to duck hunt about an hour or two west of there. LOTS of water turkeys around if they find habitat they like. (like trees poking out of a well stocked pond.)

Comoronts have become a huge nuisance where I duck hunt. Not sure what the process is, but AR issues predation permits to the fish farmers to keep them under control. Not sure I want to spend a bunch of time shooting them out of trees. If they get too bad I do have a chain saw. Sounds like a potential disaster... chainsaw-boat-tree!

Comoronts have become a huge nuisance where I duck hunt. Not sure what the process is, but AR issues predation permits to the fish farmers to keep them under control. Not sure I want to spend a bunch of time shooting them out of trees. If they get too bad I do have a chain saw. Sounds like a potential disaster... chainsaw-boat-tree!