Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,902
Posts557,116
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,420
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,112
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 774 guests, and 221 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#555333 02/02/23 01:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
T
TEC Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
I'm planning to dam up a live stream bed here in sandy East Texas that will probably create a 1-2 acre pond. I will be meeting with a guy next week who has a small crew with dozers, backhoes, etc. I'm sure he will have suggestions but I wonder if an automatic siphon design is what you guys would recommend or is a spillway ok? The stream flows a constant 20" wide by 2" deep. I'm glad I found this forum because I know next to nothing about ponds.

TEC #555334 02/02/23 03:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
N
Offline
N
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
My only advice is to make sure this is an experienced pond builder and not just a dirt guy. There is a huge difference. Ask for references of people with ponds he has built. Anybody can dig a hole and let a creek fill it up, but a pond builder will give you the right design for your situation.


NTHA - North Texas Half Acre
Cattle Ranch Ponds
TEC #555335 02/02/23 05:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112
Likes: 478
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112
Likes: 478
Strongly consider buying the excellent pond builder book Just Add Water by renownded pond builder Mike Otto. Any one of the many pieces of information will save you lots of money and grief later if the pond is not built correctly to the point the next flood washes out the dam that will rapidly drain the pond.
https://www.pondboss.com/store?c=8

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/02/23 05:28 PM.

aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
1 member likes this: RAH
TEC #555341 02/02/23 10:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
If the stream is a blue line stream on any map, you might not be allowed to dam it. Check with your counties NRCS office about the pond placement to see if it's OK, NOT the Army Core of Engineers.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
1 member likes this: N.TexasHalfAcre
TEC #555358 02/03/23 02:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Online Content
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
You said sandy. That may be a concern. Sand leaks. You need sandy loam.


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
TEC #555480 02/08/23 11:01 PM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 177
Likes: 5
Offline
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 177
Likes: 5
I have built 3 ponds over the last 5 years and have learned some lessons the hard way. To answer your question, I like siphon systems but it can be tricky to figure out the size you need for storm events. I imagine a reputable pond builder can help with sizing by looking at the drainage basin, soil types, etc.

I second the warning about damming a flowing stream. There used to be US Fish & Wildlife map online that showed federally recognized wetlands and "waters of the u.s.". It would be risky to disturb those areas without approval.

Best of luck to you!


-Jason
TEC #555496 02/09/23 12:43 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 33
J
Offline
J
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 33
I am leery of a guy building a pond dam with just dozers and backhoes. Definitely worried about dam compaction.

TEC #555584 02/14/23 09:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
T
TEC Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
Trampas Rodell of Rodell Construction in Centerville met me at my pond site a few days ago. We saw red clay along the edge of the stream at the bottom of the deep gulley where the dam will be. He said the constant stream flow (50GPM ?) should keep the pond full all the time. He recommended two 24" plastic ribbed pipes thru the dam with an emergency spillway and that he would bill me weekly at $140 hr for a track hoe and $100 hr for a dozer. He will start work in 2-3 weeks and it would probably be a 2-3 week job. I'm getting excited.

TEC #555585 02/14/23 09:57 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
A
Online Content
A
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
I'm excited for you, TEC! Brings back good memories of 2015.

Like you, I saw plenty of red clay on the property before buying. In fact, a whole hill! Unfortunately, the red clay turned out to be iron oxide: Red, yes, but not clay. Would not hold water.

Fortunately, we dug around creek bottom and found good gray clay about 4 to 6 feet down, so it all worked out in the end. But be wary of identifying clay by the color.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




TEC #555608 02/15/23 04:42 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
F
Offline
F
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
At those rates are you expecting that pond to cost you 20-30Thousand dollars for a 2 acre pond?


Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
TEC #555628 02/16/23 02:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
T
TEC Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
The time to build this pond was his WAG after we met at the pond site. It is covered in huge trees with steep banks. Years ago the local NRCS office calculated that 7200 cu yds of dirt would have to be moved. I did the same calculations as Flame and think $20-30K is about what it will cost.
Does that not seem reasonable? I've had Trampas send out a dozer for clearing and road building in my woods before and was very pleased with what I got for the cost.

TEC #555651 02/17/23 07:46 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
Good luck on your build! It is a lot of fun and excitement on the build through the fish habitat planning and implementation all the way to stocking. Then hurry up and wait till they grow!


John

I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
TEC #555653 02/17/23 10:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112
Likes: 478
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,112
Likes: 478
If your builder does not use professional special compaction equipment to build the dam and side walls correctly expect the pond to have leakage somewhere. Construction of the dam and keyway are critically important. Pushing dirt around is similar to digging a hole. However proper soil compaction techniques are mandatory for creating a well built and well sealed pond. Just because you have inflowing water does not mean poor soil compaction is acceptable. Old tree roots will decay over time in the side walls and form pathways for outward water movement. Seepages and leaks continually enlarge over time due to constant movement of water out of the pond.

A leaky pond is a very common problem question on our forum. If your contractor does not use the proper compaction methods we expect you to return with how to best deal with pond leakage especially when the stream dries up during drought. Know how to determine a pond leak. I highly suggest that you get from the contractor a written definition of what he defines as a pond leak so you know when to call him to return to fix to a leaky pond. Being proactive now is a lot better than being reactive when dealing with a leaky pond problem long term and the costly expenses involved.

The amount of your planning and preparation now determines your pond's future.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/17/23 10:56 AM.

aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
TEC #555671 02/18/23 12:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
To add to Bills post above, fixing a leaky pond typically costs the same as building it in the first place or more..........

Do it once, do it right.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
cro, HC1968
Recent Posts
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/29/24 01:06 AM
pond experience needed
by esshup - 03/29/24 12:45 AM
New pond middle TN: establishing food chain?
by Bill Cody - 03/28/24 07:57 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by FireIsHot - 03/28/24 07:33 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 06:39 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by nvcdl - 03/28/24 06:07 PM
Can anyone ID these minnows?
by Dylanfrely - 03/28/24 05:43 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5