I have been looking at some of the recommendations here for how to create a variety of habitats in a small pond. I have an established 1/8 acre pond about 5-6 feet deep that is creek fed with a continuous ~45 gpm flow of very clean and cool water from the north Georgia mountains. There is also an outflow pipe back to the creek so the water level stays constant unless one of the 2" flow pipes gets blocked or restricted.

There is not much of a fish population yet but I am working to correct this. Just a couple of mature LMBs and a few juveniles from last year's spawn. I do know from talking with the previous owner that trout were in this pond as a food source. As far as I can tell there is almost nothing on the bottom other than leaves and a few tree limbs here and there. I'd like to establish a self sustaining food source of possibly trout (if the water stays cool enough during the summer) or some Bass and Catfish along with a forage species or two.

The surrounding property has a huge quantity of natural, rock & stone that is piled up all around and I need to figure out what to do with it. After seeing some of the recommendations here for creating habitat, it seems like that could be a good use of this material. What are some of the recommended ways to beneficially use this material in and around the pond before stocking the pond? The shoreline is just dirt and some vegetation. Can the rock & stone be used as a rip rap at the waterline for a portion of the perimeter? What about building piles out in the center of the pond. compact and tall or spread and low?

Thanks,
Bruce.

Bruce I can't tell you how many tractor buckets of rock I have spread on my dam and peninsula as rip rap and I can't tell you how many more I plan to do, but it is a LOT. There is a ton of forage always in those rocks now. If I ever feel satisfied with those areas I plan on doing some rock piles as well. So short answer is I think you can do both!

Also - trout in North GA would be AWESOME!!

Rip-rap rock the shore, or at least in some areas (higher erosion areas first). I cannot recommend the whole shoreline because diversity can be good, but this diversity may not be necessary in your case...I just don't know. It has been talked about here on many occasions to start your rock piles at the shore and extend them out into deeper waters, making an underwater jut or peninsula. This helps guarantee that the pile can be used by whatever chooses to reside at the varying depths from the shore out into the pond. ie: a solitary rock pile that is too deep for inhabitants is wasted, but a long pile that covers all the depths will be used. I rock farmed my place for a couple of years such as you are looking forward to doing and managed to create a variety of pile configurations...the juts, piles, stacked ledges, shoreline rip rap...I even bordered and area that I filled with a gravel mix for nests. My pond was filling up at the time, so I was not challenged with the full pool, but your clear water will help especially if you like snorkeling. Enjoy the rock farming...your biceps will show your efforts as much as your pond. LOL

Thanks guys. Even though its tough work moving the material, having somewhere beneficial to use it makes the effort worthwhile.....and will put my two 20 something sons to work while I drink a beer and drive the equipment!

See the archive thread on structure for ideas about rock use. Some good pics of rock use.

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

Here's a thread on my rocking efforts at my small pond...

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=458150&page=1

And a teaser photo...



The far end that is lacking stones is where I load my little boat and a nice area to wade in when needed. The amount of structure elsewhere and the steep non-dam sides makes getting into pond a bit hazardous.

Appreciate the links ewest and QA.......the photos give me a much better idea what to do. I guess I'll be getting into the shallow parts of the pond to build up a few strategic rock and brush piles before introducing any forage species.

Bruce.

Bruce, any good pictures/stories/cheapsources of rock? I should have a pond up your way soon

Depending on how much you need, There is an abundant supply at my place that could be made available for pick up.