Hello...I've been reading this forum for about a week now, and have really uncovered some great info/advice in archived/old posts. I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on topsoil removal.

I posted about my proposed pond last week, and got some good feedback. Check out the post in the dam construction forum at http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=321620#Post321620

I'm curious to hear thoughts on topsoil removal/storage. The area that I need to strip for my pond is roughly 1.5-2 acres. Assuming that the topsoil/organic/tree root layer is 3' deep, that could approach 8,000 cubic yards of material. I'm in a mountainous area, so storing that much volume will be difficult.

Do you guys always strip the entire pond down below the topsoil layer? I'm building an embankment/excavation pond....there is some material in the middle that wouldn't necessary have to be stripped if I can use it as the pond floor. Thoughts?