Meadowlark, I need some further advice about the roundbales. We have completed the earth work on the pond and I need to cover the exposed areas quickly before rain can make a mess of it. How did you secure the unrolled bales to the sides of the dam and other steep inclines? Is it necessary to do so? How long will the hay hold up before disintegration? Will it have to be removed before planting the eventual cover grass?
On a different issue, the bulldozer man felt it was too late to create a hump in the middle of this deep pond. I do not want to have catfish in this pond. What other species might make use of this deep water? I have caught crappie in deep water, but the references seem to recommend perch as the bass forage fish of choice. Is there a problem with crappie? What are the implications associated with more artificial structure, like an old automobile body or two? Would the engine and trans need to be removed or is thorough draining adequate?
Last, the excavation at the deepest part of the pond exposed a spring. Can this or should this be exposed further? It seems unlikely to me that the spring would overcome the pressure head caused by more than 30-feet of overhead water, but my training is medical and not fluid dynamics. Thanks again for any suggestions. Regards, Tom
