thanks for the information everyone. I forgot to mention that I am not in any huge hurry. In all reality I'ld prefer to wait until after deer season(jan 15th) to start so it'll likely have to wait until spring/summer to start. I don't mind hard work at all but I think this project is a little more than I can probably successfully bite off by myself. I have contacted a dirt contractor in the area(actually built the pond at my dads farm 4-5 years ago) and he is going to come look at it this weekend to give me an idea of what it'll run. Construction has slowed some in our area and it may be a good time to get a decent quote on some work. If I can get him to do what I want for probably $7-8k then I am likely to just go on ahead and tell him to put me on the list. I was already planning on re-doing the levee to get rid of the trees(I was standing on the end of the levee where this pic was taken) and I want to try to get the edges down probably around 3' because this pond has been growing some weeds i think was called something like "watershed" but don't quote me on that name.
ultimately I just want some place for me to take my kids to fish and catch a few decent bass. I just don't think I can do it with what I have now. So I just have to figure out if it is worth it for me to do it myself or to have it done. With everything I've done this past year and still have to do I imagine I will probably try to get this pond renovated by them. The other ponds are MUCH smaller and I can easily do them by myself later on when time allows.
This year i have taken down several buildings on the property. Burned down an old farmhouse and the fire got away from me and i received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 45% of my right arm. then I put in a small house trailer on the place, electricity, septic, well, renovated the barn, spread 125tons of gravel, put out 4 food plots, put a 5' culvert in a ditch that runs water year round. so i don't know if I really have the pond renovation in me. I'm getting a little tired of all the work and am looking forward to enjoying it a little.
