Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site New to the forum, and new to building

Hey guys my name is eric, and i am from henderson, tx.... the family got a few acres of our own about a year ago, and I am dreaming of a big pond, just to fish out of... i have a few family ponds now that i fish and stock and keep up with right now... but it is not my own.... this land already has an existing small pond... and i am wanting to expand it greatly... i have a few pictures, was just gonna see what you guys think... also dug a test hole today... just to see if you all might could tell me what i was working with... i get on the forum periodicly and read but finally made a user name today.... haha

here we go





This is the existing pond



a shot of the width i am working with





A picture of the hill above the pond as it starts up





The hill that i want to build in to



Paneramic pic from mid hill down



paneramic pic from the top of the hill down



Test hole i dug about 4ft deep...can any one tell me if any of this is clay?

Welcome to Pond Boss Eric.

Looks like clay to me.

How large do you want the pond to be and how much run off will it have?

Thanks Dave! And i want it to be about an acre and a half..... and i am not sure yet... i was going to call my county extention office yo see what kind of topo they could get me... maybe something a little more in depth than google maps...

Any input would be great!! Thanks!!

Starting a pond could fill a book and it already has. The owners of this site, Lusk and Otto, have written one. It is for sale on this site. The name is "Perfect Pond..Want One?". It covers a lot and is a bargain when compared to a couple of gallons of diesel.

The main thing, to me, is getting an experienced pond builder. Lots of dozer drivers know how to clear land but ponds are different. The guy needs to know about soils, runoff area, coring, and making it a home for fish. Packing in lifts by using a sheepsfoot roller vs a dozer is something that not all dozer guys understand. I'll bet that 50% or more ponds have been done incorrectly.

The other part is your education into what you want vs what you can have. There are hundreds of posts here by members who have built ponds. They have detailed their voyages and their mistakes. I would recommend research here prior to even contacting the extension office. It will keep you busy for days.

One thing that is seldom mentioned is whether to dig a pond in a certain area. Be sure that you want to permanently alter an area. You can't undig a pond any more than you can uncut down a tree. You will permanently destroy that pond area.

I think that maybe the biggest thing is not to get in a hurry. Do your homework first. Ask specific questions on things that you aren't real clear about. You'll get plenty of responses.

you are very right, there is a lot to consider... some of that I have, and some I have not.... some of that is really eye opening.... this idea has been brewing for a little over a year now... but just as all the points you made, I want to make sure it is the best correct spot.... I fish too many ponds around here that are leaky.. or hard to fish because of location, weather it be trees,or just not well maintained ponds.... thanks for the info though! and I will be keeping you all up to date...

Have you considered a couple/few smaller ponds, say around 1/4 acre? That would allow you to do one for a yr or two and maybe have different species in each one. I know it's really tough to be patient but you'll be surprised at how fast three yrs will pass. Good luck and research and ask lots. Bob-O