Hello...I've been reading this forum for about a week now, and have really uncovered some great info/advice in archived/old posts. I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on topsoil removal.

I posted about my proposed pond last week, and got some good feedback. Check out the post in the dam construction forum at http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=321620#Post321620

I'm curious to hear thoughts on topsoil removal/storage. The area that I need to strip for my pond is roughly 1.5-2 acres. Assuming that the topsoil/organic/tree root layer is 3' deep, that could approach 8,000 cubic yards of material. I'm in a mountainous area, so storing that much volume will be difficult.

Do you guys always strip the entire pond down below the topsoil layer? I'm building an embankment/excavation pond....there is some material in the middle that wouldn't necessary have to be stripped if I can use it as the pond floor. Thoughts?

What is topsoil worth in your area? I would try sell it if you could. We have a 17yd scraper behind a tractor (Some guys pull 2 of these)and I could strip that much topsoil in about 50 hrs if you're piling it close by. I would strip the entire pond bottom so you know there is no sand/gravel or something else that would cause a leak in your new pond.

Welcome from a fellow(transplant) Viriginian. Where are you located?

kenc--I'm from down in the Bluefield area.....how about yourself?

blair5002: we were looking at moving topsoil with a D6 dozer. Per selling it, I'm not sure what it is worth. It will be full of roots and have some rock in it. Definitely a thought, though.

We live in Chesterfield but have a fishing place at Aylett. You live in a beautiful area.

Steve
You probably know this, but just in case here goes—There must be a good foundation on an embankment pond, There cannot be a seem under the dam and a layer of topsoil will allow that to happen. Under the embankment it is wise to remove the topsoil and any organic material, roots, grass, weeds. Over time that stuff will decompose and could cause a problem.
As far as the topsoil on the rest of the site, it is usually, valuable and hard to come by, and can be used anytime, not many people will bury it.
When Elvis Presley built his pond he saved his topsoil.
Otto