Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam What temperature is too low ?

As we are getting closer to Winter, in the Northern states, I was wondering if there is a temperature ,of the soil, that is preferred when it comes to building a dam for new construction? Or, if there is one that should be completely avoided when it comes to a new build.

NOT an expert, but I think the only temperature that generally matters on earthworks is below freezing.

It is much more work for the construction equipment to scrape up or breakout frozen ground. However, it can be done with enough HP.

I do not imagine there is any possible way to perform compaction on frozen ground, or in a core trench fill that contains chunks of frozen material.

It is usually a big advantage to perform heavy construction work when your site is dry. If fall is a low precipitation time in your area, then that might be an excellent time to schedule your project. Definitely give yourself a cushion before the hard freezes start. However, IMO an early, light snowfall event is not going to disrupt your job.

In the fall/winter you deal with rain and frost, too much rain and it's a quagmire, any frost is not your friend, it wont compact right and takes much more work.

I agree with what was said. As long as the ground temp is above 32°F, you are good to go.

Just be sure to be finished before the rain and snow start.

Thanks All,
This is just for discussion but, wouldn’t the ground temperature stay above freezing below the frost line? So in theory, for my area if soil was moved below 18”, the temperature of the soil would be above 32 and as long as the daytime highs are in that 10 deg +/- freezing, it should pack ok. The problem would be moisture and really cold nights, I would think.

B Bug,

You are correct, your soil should still be workable. However, even if you only get a 1/2" of frozen damp clay material overnight, your equipment will easily work through it - but it will not compact correctly when piled into the core trench.

The other thing is that pits can really attract cold air. I had frost all around my lowest pond one fall morning when I went out to work early. Just happened to mention it to my farmer neighbor that day. He has a max/min thermometer, and said it only got down to 34F that night. It was a windless night, so I am pretty sure the depression of my pond drew in the cool, sinking air from the surrounding area, and actually got colder than the ambient temperature. If you start your pond in a low spot on your property and make an even deeper spot, you may slightly observe the same phenomenon.

Of course, IMO your biggest problem is probably to have a big precipitation event get your pond excavation project really wet when you are only half done. If you see rain on the way, please send it to someone on the forum that has low ponds.

Good luck on you pond build!

Another thing is that if you are trying to compact frozen ground, you cannot. SO, a pond cannot be properly compacted when ground temp or ambient air temp is much below freezing. It can be dug when it's that cold out, but not finished.