Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction Hi from Alabama

Want to say a formal hello and tell a little about what's on my mind re: ponds. I will begin construction on a 1 Acre pond at my home in January. I want it for the scenery improvement and occasional fishing and some swimming too. The area is already a valley of sorts, and will require a 200' dam around 12 feet high. A local pond contractor will do the work though I have already cleared the site myself with a loader. There is so much I don't know about ponds that if I hang around here to figure it out I decided that I should register. In the past few days of reading stuff over here I've been impressed with the friendly atmosphere among the members and am glad to say I am now a member too.

Welcome Zander! Take pics of your project and post 'em. We like pics. If you have questions, ask away (if you try to use the appropriate sub forum they'll be more visible and probably get more answers). There's lots of info in the archives. When I found this place I spent weeks reading and getting caught up.

thanks esshup, I will take some pictures and post em when I get some, I may already have some of the site as-is, but the real fun starts next month.

I'm definitely interested in checking out the archives! I have so many different pond topics on my mind now it's a bit confusing.

Welcome aboard. Always good to have another member from the deep south. The archives are a good place to browse. There is info on construction and also structure which could help. May want to get the dirt analyzed for mgt purposes now. It is easier to do that and if needed add lime during construction.

Welcome Zander. If I were you, and I'm not, I would buy Lusk's book titled "Perfect Pond...Want one?". It will answer questions that you don't even know to ask. Definitely a do it right the first time book.

thanks for the welcome ewest and Dave! I have mostly pines and the well I have for my home is acidic, I have to adjust it to get ph up. I imagine the soil is like that too, or the cause of it. I should get it analyzed.... where do I go for that? Do I just dig up a bit, should I dig very deep for the sample? Get into the clay?
Good idea, thanks.

Dave, after seeing your post I went an ordered the book, and got the one on Water Weeds and Alge also. Some of the small ponds around here seem to have an issue with too much growing in it. Appreciate the book recommendation!

Should cost around $ 20-25. Be sure to tell them it is for a pond.

Ala . ----- Soil Testing Laboratory

ALFA Agricultural Services & Research Building
961 S. Donahue Drive
Auburn University, AL 36849-5411
Telephone: (334) 844-3958

ewest, Thank you.

Soil testing here is usually done by collecting samples in the top 6" of soil.

6" huh, well I couldn't get in touch with Alpha at Auburn today, perhaps they've already started the holidays. I did find their website, but want to talk to em to make sure I do it right for a pond site test.
They have several kinds of soil tests, but nothing listed for pond use.

re: archives--- I found the DFW Reports, nice! The section on the 'Power of F3' answered the question of what particular aspects of a soil test should I be concerned about. Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, ph, alkalinity all are related to adjusting the pond early for supporting fish life. Good to know.

Are there any other aspects of a soil test that are important other than for supporting fish? I am trying to get a handle on which soil test I should choose over at Alpha, and what to do with results once I obtain them.

Still no luck contacting Alpha on the phone.

Should I move this to the soil questions forum?

It is good here for now. Most common pond soil tests have all the basics for mgt. Here is an example of both soil and water tests. Most soil tests have a little more info and discussion of what it shows. thanks for the kind comment on F3.

thanks for the sample, it helps me get a perspective on what to expect. Let me know if I later should start a new thread elsewhere.

I'll be taking a soil sample soon, but the holidays will slow things down a bit. Thanks all, for the help and the advice to do an early soil sample.

Today I pulled dimensions, and shot some elevations, bank and interior. I want to know what I have before the dirt work starts, as a reference to what gets done and what can be done. I'm going to post up those elevations/dimensions to see if I can get recommendations, particularly interested in a shallow area perhaps six feet deep. May take a day or so though to make a chart.

Put that on a new thread like zander pond plan or such.

Made a new thread in 'selecting a site' for anyone interested.
Have a couple of pictures. Will likely add more tomorrow.