Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Too much gravel?

Well between the storms last week, I snuck in and graveled the area around my dock. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I was tired of mowing around the dock, fire pit, tree, etc. My mower on the tractor wouldn't fit around these areas and I had to do it by hand. Well my wife had wanted to do this for a long time as well as she thought some gravel would be nice. I showed my wife after it was done and she thinks I am crazy. Her idea and my idea of "a little gravel" differ widely! So did I go overboard? In my mind a guy can never have too much gravel!!! What do you guys think?

PS - In the water in front of the gravel area is a pea gravel spawning bed I put in when I was building the pond. Everywhere I graveled has a spawning bed in front of it.

Nick

I think everything you have done looks awesome. You have inspired me to do the same thing because its always muddy in front of my dock. I just need some water to go with the gravel. Should I do it without showing her this picture?

Nick you are in the upper class of pond boss, with a 30 acre thropy like you got. The rest of us can only dream of such a thing. Who cares what us small fry thank about your gravel.

It looks great even though my opinion is not worthy of judgment against a man of your stature. BOW BOW......

I am a strong proponent of low/no maintenance. I think it rocks! (sorry) I love the dock, too....any details avail on the construction?
Excuse me now as I re-join James and Rocky-T in the puppy pound.

Gravel is fine. Fine gravel is finer. I would kill for a load pea gravel or fine crushed limestone or granite.

BG love gravel for their wives, so why not you to. You could tell her it is a temporary storage area for gravel to make extra BG beds.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000124

Thanks for the comments but I am no different than everyone else on this forum -- I love my pond!!! I got very lucky and found the perfect spot to construct a large pond for about what alot of folks spend constructing a 3 acre pond.

As for the dock, I built the frame before the pond filled. I put the decking on after the pond filled (ran out of time). The main pier supports are new treated telephone poles I purchase from my electrical coop (that was the toughest part of the deal. Decking is ipe (south american hardwood). It is a great material although very labor intensive as every screw hole has to be predrilled and counter sunk. The material is only slightly more expensive than all of the composites (trex, etc.) The decking has a 20 year warranty with no finish required. The shed on the dock has water pump, electrical components, (16) 105 amp deep cycle batteries, propane water heater, and all the normal lake supplies (floats, rafts, life jackets, fishing poles, tackle boxes, etc.
Power for the dock comes from the 4 solar panels mounted on top of the shed as we are about a long 1/4 mile away from my main electrical service. The deep clycle batteris store the juice! The water heater provides warm water for the shower. I will try to take some close up pics next time I am there of the dock and post up the pics.

Anyway, my wife is still mad about the gravel!

Nick

Hey Nick...
Thanks for the dock input...you really got me thinkin' (again). Go to this new thread .

Wow Nick that looks great! All that gravel reminds me of Smithville lake or even Lake Jocomo with that large body of water behind it. Where abouts is your pond located in KCMO. Generally speaking of course.

Trialsguy,

My pond is about an hour se of kc. Is your pond around Oak Grove?

Nick

Yep! pond and home, you must be around Sedalia some where.