Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Rock on the dam face

I would like to accomplish a few objectives with this idea...layering the face of my pond dam with larger rock, what we call "erosion stone" here in Iowa. Most pieces are 6" - 9" in size.

This will prevent muskrats, etc, from burrowing in the dam. (Something that they have started to do a little bit.)

Provide stabilization to the dam and reduce any erosion from waves, etc.

Provide some escape cover for minnows and fry, etc.

I am concerned about bringing the rock in via dump truck, as I think I may damage my dam with that much weight. So I am thinking about using a smaller, dump bed, flat bed truck that will limit the weight at any given point in time on the dam.

But I wonder if that then is feasible. Would I need so many trips to get the job done that I wouldn't want to do it that way?

For those that have rocked a dam face, how did you do it? How far above and below the water surface would you place the rock? Would it be better to dump big loads nearby, but not on the dam, and then use a skidloader to spread it out?

Just looking for advice, experience, ideas on the subject. TIA.