Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Pond size?

I was on this forum about a year ago when we were looking at buying some property. It was very a very helpful forum! I need some updated advice.

Long story short--we settled on a 4.5 acre parcel in an area called Armadillo Hills, off FM 730 in Parker County, Texas. Our house, yard, pool will occupy about 1/2 acre at the top of the hill of the property. We think we've identified an area at the bottom of the property that is a very nice sloped area that catches a lot of runoff.
I measured off an irregular shaped pond that would cover approximately 330' x 100' (approx. 33,000 sq.ft. surface area) The width varies from 50'at narrow end to 110' at the widest part.
1. What is the actual pond size I'm getting? I have some "wiggle room" to enlarge the excavation area, etc. if I need to. I was hoping for at last a 1/2-1 acre pond for catfish, bass, perch.
2. Does anyone have a recommendation for a contractor in this area?

Thanks.
GlenB.

1 acre = 43,560 square feet...so, you're a little less than a surface acre...also, general "square" measurement for an acre is 208' x 208'...may need to excavate some dirt from the sides to expand to your desired size, consider that what you move may be, emphasis is May Be, suitable for your dam...soil test and find a pond builder as opposed to a dirt mover...surf this site, it is AWESOME and contains mounds of information !...

Good luck,

Torchy

Torchy:
Thanks. I've been away from this site for a few months. But, I got lots of good info from several postings.

A shout out to : "Eastland". You sent me the name of a guy that you recommended/used to build your pond. I think his name was Varner. If you or any of the others out here in the Weatherford, TX area have his number, I'd like to give him a call.
I have a list of "Excavating Contractors" from the Parker County NRCS.
Anybody know anything about these folks?:
Tim Carter
Don's Dozer
Riddle, Inc.
Weldon & Bill Jordan
Frost Dozer
Mike Hemby
Mike Kincaid
Holmes Construction
Atlas (in Eastland)
Ronnie Howell Dozer (Springtown)

Also, I know of a guy named Delton Caraway in W'Ford that does dozer work...anybody ever used him for pond building?

Mark,et.al., this a great site and resource! I plan on sending in my subscription to the mag very soon!

Glen B.

I have used several dozer operators and they came with varying degrees of skill and integrity. The NRCS will probably not recommend one operator over another. I would do a couple of things. First, design the ultimate pond that you want. In effect, look for an operator who can make you happy, not just push dirt or dam up a draw. Second, ask the NRCS for a list of ponds that they have assisted and call the land owners. Ask who they used and what their feelings are. Would the guy be their first call for their next job? Also, did their pond have any special features that woulld attract fish or did they just build a dam? Can you come look?What kind of equipment do they use? A new D6 will do almost as much work as an older model D8. On old D5 will take forever and you are paying by the hour. The technical part of this can probably be answered at a dozer sales place. I would check and do my homework. There is a very recent discussion here about cubic yards measurement. Once you know how big you will make the pond, define the cubic yards to be moved. This is how the NRCS pays and most of these guys are used to cooperating with the NRCS and getting NRCS oversight. If they won't do it for you at that rate, get very suspicious and back slowly out of the room.

Two dozers worked on my pond. One of them could make a dozer stand on its ear. The other could only grub mesquite and push dirt. Be very careful. A lot of operators will spend a lot of time in granny gear when they need to be going in road gear. Expect the really right guy to be busy, not idle. The list of dozer operators that I won't use again is a lot longer than the ones that I will use. Again, be very careful. Once the project is complete, it is too late to say "I wish I had......."

great advice Dave

There's a question on the board regarding a dirt contractor in the Weatherford, Texas area. I have a ready solution:

I live and focus on ponds in the Texas Hill Country, but over the years, I have worked several pond sites in the Breckenridge-Weatherford-Granbury region. On several occasions, I have used Jimmy Gosden, based in Rainbow, Texas.

Phone: (254) 897-1821.

His services are in high demand, but for new startups or clean-outs of existing sites, I can give him the highest of recommendations. With Jimmy, you get a lot of work done for the dollar.

Mark McDonald
founding editor

Thanks a lot, Mark. I'll give him a call.
By the way, I found the number of another guy that was recommended by Russell R.. The guy is Roy Varner.
Do you know his work?

Glen Bradford

GlenB, try Brandon Orms in Ranger, he built this...I'll give you details in e-mail.
russelrosenberg@comcast.net

http://www.geocities.com/russeldean2002/Eastland.jpg