I have a small pond, that was last dredged about 25-30 years ago.
It is approximately 30' x 60' oval, 15 years ago the deepest was about 6' deep.
Small little guy in upstate NY.
Over the past 3 decades silt has increased, algae has bloomed, and water plants have choked it out.
Home to frogs as well as painted and snapping turtles.
I can't afford an excavator, or even the diesel to run one. I have little money available, yet I have free time, and willpower! This is surely a project based upon my aesthetic desires, so I am not in a rush, nor do I need perfection.
My plan:
-Slow and steady, as a hobby. (yes, a sweaty, stinky hobby, but still... I enjoy the reward of sweat on my brow, knowing I made my land improved.). This could be an all summer thing, rolling in to very now and then "goof around".
-Get a used diaphragm pump. I thought about renting, but I like the idea of not being in a rush, doing it only when I was energized. WE don't want work!
-Using dewatering bags, perhaps a combination of reusable and single use.
- running a large plastic sheet to create a trough, reclaiming the pond water into the pond.
-wait a while, then empty bag, and try again. slow and steady.
So, will this work?
What concerns or questions do you have?
I want some feedback.
-Also, has anyone turned a dewatering bag into a berm, along the pond? I have seen large scale operations cover with soil, and seed. Anyone do this?
