The north bank is eroding (strong south winds are common). The cut is about 3ft tall and it's starting to move pretty quickly. The pond has cattle most of the yr.
2 ways I see to address it; Fill with rocks and gravel... Or Use a skid steer to remove soil and shape it into a much less steep slope. Plant grass...
Anybody with experience or ideas? I really want to stop it from silting in. I'm afraid a flatter slope will encourage trampling and wading from the cattle. Rock on the other hand would be quite the project.
My experience in Kansas is that "cattle" and "erosion control" DO NOT go together.
Can you dig out a side pocket along a flat edge of the pond? If so, I would fence off the pond and let the cattle drink and wade in their little side pool.
If your banks are steep all around the pond, I have seen ranchers run a section of 2" PVC pipe through the bank to a cattle tank. You do have to set the top of the tank just above normal pool level so it doesn't drain your pond.
Maybe some of the ranchers in the forum know about a float valve system that would work so you could set your cattle tank at any elevation you wanted?
Ditto, fence it off and have them water out of a tank that is supplied from the pond. That will minimize a lot of issues you will have with the pond in the future. Once it's fenced off, get in there and taper the banks, then seed, then lay jute erosion mats over that.
Thanks for the replies guys. I can tell you it's not getting additional fence (there's reasons).
I've paid close attention lately; the cattle will trample and go everywhere. They will swim around fence. They will wade. They will take the boat ramp... and the steepest ledge. The only place they don't go is where I put rock from our basement dig. I'm leaning toward finding rock but liked the suggestions above. Open for more...
My only recommendation is to save one of your biggest flat rocks and place it just above water level at the end of the point. It will be a magnet for kids to cast from when fishing the pond.
I fibbed - make that two recommendations. I would also recommend that you place some additional structure in the pond within casting distance of the point. Kids (and adults) will know just where to cast to drag their lure just past the structure.
My only recommendation is to save one of your biggest flat rocks and place it just above water level at the end of the point. It will be a magnet for kids to cast from when fishing the pond.
I fibbed - make that two recommendations. I would also recommend that you place some additional structure in the pond within casting distance of the point. Kids (and adults) will know just where to cast to drag their lure just past the structure.
Have fun with your new and improved pond!
Thanks! And thanks for the great suggestions!
The point drops off into 5ft of water and there are a couple of rocks that are easy to a stand on. I sunk alternating piles of cedar and 4in diameter osage orange in front of it. Bass tend to like the bigger cover and the cedars keep forage fish nearby. Crappie can usually be found near the cedars too.
