Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Good Place for a Pond?

I am wanting to build a 1/4 acre pond behind my backyard. Im not sure if it is a "Pond Site." I am not sure of the cost to build a dam, dig the pond and if i need a source of water for the pond? I have been clearing trees and do not want to continue if it is not a good place for a pond. Please answer my questions if you have any clue about the prices to build a 1/4 acre pond and things you have to have for a pond to be build in an area. Thanks.

If you are excavating a 1/4 pond and are going to use a synthetic liner and a supplemental water source then you can basically dig it wherever you want. If you are not doing this, than you need to worry about watershed, soil composition, topography and multiple other factors. I would do a google search of this forum on "selecting a pond site" as this has been discussed many times. Feel free to post pictures as these can be very helpful, and ask away with any questions. Cost varies by region, but I have seen from $1-2/cubic yard of dirt moved. good luck

Thanks. So would I need a stream or source of water if I dont do a liner and water source? It is very flat and I do not think there is a water source. Also, roughly, how much do you think it would be to dig it?

you are looking at an approximately 100 x 100 pond (1/4 acre). lets say you have an average depth of 6 feet

so rounding numbers 30yd x 30 yd x 2 yd x $2/yd = $3600

this could easily double if unforseen issues arise, dirt needs to be moved a significant distance, etc...

Ok. Thanks.

I've seen excavated ponds in my area on flat terrain that have filled in a year. Some of these ponds were created by the highway dept for the use of the dirt. Ofcourse, the soil type and annual rainfall are essential factors. Excavation projects can be costly though, usually requiring the use of an excavator and a dozer or bobtail, depending on what you plan to do with the excavated dirt. I recently had an excavation project completed, and was able to have the removed dirt spread with a dozer. I paid $105/hr for the excavator and $90/hr for the dozer. The total cost was $4600. Actual yards of dirt removed is difficult to estimate as bank area of an exsisting ponds was being removed. But, I'm guessing that enough dirt was removed to probably fill a 1/4 acre pond 6 feet deep.

I just completed the building stage of my ponds. It took a little longer and cost a little more and by little I mean significantly more on each front. Take the time to read and investigate. There are so many free articles here, the magazine Pond Boss is worth its weight in gold and the forum will answer almost any question you have. The guys and ladies here are your new best friends. Read, ask, read, ask read, ask.

Welcome and good luck.

I appreciate it.

Buy the book, "The Perfect Pond . . . Want One?" by clicking this link and scrolling down till you find the purchase area for that book. It's written by Bob Lusk, one of the owners of this forum and one of the best fisheries biologists in the business. Read it and then start asking questions. Good luck on the project - it's always fun to watch one of these ideas come to life in the forum!