Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond with bank build-up

Hello,

I have recieved serveral bids to build a pond for my property. Almost all the pond builders/excavators in my area told me they would use the dirt from the pond to build up the banks. This will be a dug pond and I will be relying on seasonal rain to fill it up.

The obvious benefit would be a lower cost as I would not need to have the clay hauled away. I am re-accessing my thoughts on this type of constuction as I do not think it looks esthetically pleasing. Can someone give me the pros and cons to this type of pond construction?

Thanks,

Boomer

Boomer2, These are just some thoughts while we wait for others to chime in.

As far as asthetics (sp?), I think you are right that this type of pond (maybe called a Dike Pond) is not as pleasing to the eye.

But if it comes down to having a pond or not having a pond if we assume that the dike pond is the only way to make a pond with enough depth, you would come to love the dike pond also, I believe.

Perhaps the pond builder feels he could not go to enough depth by excavating and therefore feels he needs to add depth by building up the sides.

If the cost of moving the dirt from the excavation is too prohibitive, then I mention again that I believe you would still come to love it.

Welcome on board.

Most people I know who are building a pond, their Bank accounts are empty. There is no worry about build up of any kind. Just ask Brettski.

Thanks for your inputs and thanks for having a wonderful site!!!!

I don't have a lot of money but Good L-rd some how blessed me and my family with this small but beautiful piece of property. With that said, just like most of you all here, it has been a dream, since I was a little kid to be a pond boss. Now, that I have the little piece of paradise, I would like to build my dream pond. I am hoping with a little prayer and a sensible economical plan to build me 1 1/2 acre pond.

The problem with my land is, it is flat as they come. The clay on my land (Northern Alabama) is good for pond building but I am worried about the pond filling up and staying filled. Northern Alabama averages about 60 inches of rain a year so with my good clay I might achieve a successful pond. However, with the land being flat I am not sure I can create a water shed. If the banks are built up, I understand it will be impossible for me to create a ditch to channel water to it. Also, from what I was told, if there is ever a drought then my pond will drop in water level faster than a leveled pond.

My other option is to pile the dirt on the backend of the pond. It will cost me a little more but it will be cheaper than hauling it away. I am leaning toward this method. Is there any other solutions out there.

Anyone in Northern Alabama interested in free dirt

Boomer

Yo, Boomer2....Welcome to the show.
The basic elements to a creation of a pond are: a)clay b)a good credit line c)the innate ability to justify abuse of "b" above. At least, that was my case. To date, no regret.
There are quite a few questions about your property, but one near the top of the list is topography. Do you have any slope or drainage that moves toward one area...and about how much (acres). 60" of annual precip is pretty strong. You can extract your avg evaporation thru one of my posts within this thread (1st page, 1/2 way down) Eric\'s watershed theory thread
Have you examined an aerial photo of your parcel, particularly a topo map? If yes, are you able to post it here for examination? (you may want to crop off pertinent logistical info to maintain anonimity).
With 60" of precip, even a sky-pond should be do-able.

Hello Brettski,

My land seems flat to the naked eye. I do have two creeks that run through the property. One is a small feeder creek that runs North to south. It feeds into the bigger creek that runs East to West. Since both creeks are heavily surrounded by hard oaks, I do not wish to have the creeks feed into my pond. I prefer a dug pond.

I am planning on having the pond built along my feeder creek, which again flows North to South. Therefore, if there is any slope to this part of land, I would guess it would be North to South.

I have not seen any topology maps of my area. However, even though my land seems flat to the naked eye, there is a small mountain on the land behind me. This mountain runs North and South. There is also a small hill across the street from me. Both creeks are spring fed from the mountain behind me so I am not really sure how the land slopes to create a watershed.

I am planning on digging the pond 8 ft deep on one end and 4 feet deep on the other end to save money. Again the land is in Northern Alabama so I do not see a great need to dig it deeper. It will be stricky a bluegill/bass pond. No catfish!

I talked to an land/pond excavator and he told me I could build the back side of the pond with the dirt. This would add about $2,000 to the cost but would be cheaper than hauling it away. I think this would be a better solution for me as it will keep the cost down and give it a more natural look. Also, I might be able to channel in more water with a ditch in the future. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I would like to plant some lilly pads at the shallow end. Is 4 ft depth to deep?

Thanks,
Boomer