Thanks to all the posters on the forum, and thanks to PondBoss, et.al. for the books, magazines, etc. Dirt is flying at our new pond, as the dam is under contruction on our 5.2 acre pond (according to NRCS). Everything looks promising so far, as the test holes looked great.
I'm keeping a photo journal of our progress (see
Redstone Ranch pond photos ). If anyone sees something odd, I'd appreciate the advice. The site's at an old excavated gravel pit, next to a tree-lined wooded area filled with live oaks, pines, and cedars. Deepest water will be about 12 feet, with an average depth of 6 feet. We're probably going to push up an island and shape the peninsulas when the dam is done (about a week from now). Then it's add structure, pray for rain, add forage, pray for rain, and add predators. Same old story.
