It's a balancing act. My first pond, my builder was almost paranoid about steep banks, to the point that I've a lot of bankline that's too shallow for me. You have to walk 75 feet from the beach to get neck deep.

The second guy was more interested in digging a hole and building a dam to worry about slope (I was out of town for most of the project). Except for where I dug with the tractor removing extra top soil he left behind, most of the bankline is too steep to climb back out of easily. Can't mow with the ZTR...have to use the ATV and (former) trailmower.

Tell me exactly what's best and I'd be happy.


In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times. My wife figures I'm due to die any day now...