Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Common Pond Mistakes.

We recently had a thread on common pond myths. I thought this would be a good thread for pond bosses to point out their mistakes. The mistake I see a lot on here is stocking a pond containing bass or other large predators with fingerling or small 3-5" fish. This is a nice meal for your bass but your money could be better spent elsewhere. Maybe some of the more experienced pond bosses could provide us with guidelines for what size fish we should stock with what size predator. Anyone else with a common pond mistake?

I think the most common and devastating pond mistake is inadequate research into soil types, watershed and excavating skills resulting in a pond that doesn't hold water.

If you hire an excavator who doesn't know exactly what he's doing you might as well throw your money into the wind.

PFF, your timing is perfect. I have been corresponding with a freelance writer who is working on a story for a national magazine. Guess what the topic is?
As a full time pond management guy, here's my short list of common mistakes.
1) improper pond design--too much shallow water, not enough or the wrong kind of habitat.
2) fish won't grow--didn't stock the thing right, in the first place. Dynamics out of whack.
3) runaway aquatic plants--see #1.
4) muddy water--rarely an easy way to foresee it.
5) management backfires--didn't fertilize at the right time, stocked wrong sizes or wrong numbers of fish, too much feeding, too much fertility.


Here's an afterthought to add...people still think fish, pecans and watermelons are free. Because of that mentality, a guy may spend $30,000 to build the perfect pond, and then scrimp on the dollars to stock it, preferring to catch fish from a neighboring pond and transfer them over. Bad decision, every time. Then, two or three years later they call me to fix it. Good for business, but completely unnecessary.

Nice to see you active on the forum Mr. Lusk, and honored to post with you.

Two items.

1) Mistakes.....the number of mistakes I could have made were radically reduced by (a) my great fortune of finding Pond Boss prior to conducting my project, and (b)taking a pond management class sponsored by the County that was really quite good, and was taught by some very knowledgeable folks. I'm 8 months out from my renovation project. Hindsight reveals that the sediment dam should have been farther out into the pond, and I should have installed a supplemental water well before this summer. The sediment dam still performs a great job, and I will survive this summer, but not anywhere close to having optimal conditions.

2) While scrimping on fish stocking dollars :rolleyes: , and transferring fish from my neighbors ranch pond ....



......I had a great time doing it , and love the results thus far .....no, it is not for everybody, and i would never recommend it to anyone, it just happened to fit w/ my objectives of having a fun fishing pond in my yard again. I love having all of the other pond benefits as well, a quiet sanctuary to relax on the shore or a small boat, watching all the wildlife enjoy the year round water again, added fire protection, the satisfaction of seeing a job well done, and undoubtedly an increased property value. I have also been able to meet all of you, and enjoy the time i spend learning and discussing things here.

Thanks again Bob for PB, the PB forum, and PFF, Great topic!

Not assuring a correct ratio between runoff and pond size.

Not having a dam cored.

Buying property(s) in arid areas.

Having unrealistic goals for your pond -- mother nature has limits. Know them before you start to plan.

Great comments everyone.
Dave- sometimes your property turns arid after you build a pond. When I first moved into my place I had a dirt road. It rained 3 times a week until I got my road fixed and my pond built. Now I would call it a desert. :rolleyes:
Eric- You mean I can't have 50 25# bass and monster bluecat that bite on every cast in my 1 acre pond?

Anyone else have a common pond mistake?

Well... Based upon my experience, I think one should probably either put a pipe in the bottom of the pond or leave a gap in the dam until the rest of the pond is complete. On two different ponds, I've had the dam done first. Both times I knew better. Both times I regretted it and was out more time / expense as a result.

On a new pond, I would definitely check out any fish that went in them from any source to try to avoid any undesired species.

Don't get TOO involved with or expect too much from a pond in a remote location. It can cause grief and anxiety.

Spend a few bucks to contour the catchment area so that every drop of rain is channeled into the pond. There are some local ponds near me that are always hurting for water. The owners run wells while acres and acres of precious runoff are wasted.

For the flatlanders: If you're thinking about constructing your own "dug" pond for the experience and to save money, you better think big. Anything over a 1/4 acre dug pond takes big equipment and big bucks. A 1 acre pond takes at least 10 times more work/money to build than a 1/4 acre pond.

Burger, has something recently happened at your place?

Well, yes. Just when I was geared to get equipment in to clean it out, there is finally 5 inches 2 wks. ago, followed by another 5 inches. Full pond now. This after yr. long drought. But, in general, just cant do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. I started this project when I worked 4 on and 4 off. Got over there at least once or twice a month. Now less often. Mine is more remote than most, though.

hmmm, mistakes, I'd suggest a good reading list before even starting to make mistakes, going down the 'trial by error' route.

Besides Pondboss, what else should be on the pond shelf....

For my own interest, Perry Slocum's 'Water gardening' book would be a good starting point for the long Winter nights

http://www.americanponders.com/forum/index.php?topic=349.0
~ A few from the Summer of '06 ~

I will add my experiences.

1. Allways cover any rock with clay.
2. Rent a roller or something to pack the clay with.
3. Make sure your drain is large enough to handle the water shed around your pond plus any cloud burst of rain.
4. Never put a large gravel truck on the pond dam to spread gravel. In my case my dam is my drive way but the dam was soft from rains when they delivered. Therefore I have 2 low spots where the truck rutted out my dam.
5. #4 reminds me to never order gravel when there is a chance for a freeze. If you want them to spread it nice and neat you can forget about it. The gravel will clump and clog in truck causing hig and low spots where they spread.

Donnie

Time and money are the great penalties of pond mistakes...lost time, sometimes measured in years and potentially significant sums of money. The largest penalties are usually associated with construction mistakes...with inadequate planning being the chief offender, IMO.

When we talk about pond management, the penalties for mistakes generally are relatively more significant in terms of time as opposed to actual money. However, when viewed as learning opportunities, the mistakes can be turned into a positive.

My personal biggest mistakes were 1) stocking pure strain Florida LMB and 2) fertilizing....both however have turned into positives in that they have taught me much about ponds and fish dynamics. Good thread PFF.

Don't buy used equipment for a do it yourself project and expect it to last the entire job. hahahaha

Expect lots and lots of delays and breakdowns from used equimpent.

Estimate how long it will take to build and multiply that number by four.

Eddie