Digging A Pond

tbone

I have a homeowner who wants a small pond dug out in his backyard. This will be my first attempt at digging a pond. I was hoping I could get some advice. I appreciate any help.

tnmtn

what kind of size are you talking about? will there be any water flowing into it or a fountain?

tbone

The pond is about 70' by 40',there is no water running into it.

young gun

What's the water source? IS this going to be clay lined or will you need to install a liner of some sort? I don't know what the rules are by you, but in WI we need DNR permits for a pond of that size.
What type of machine will you be using?

tbone

The homeowner wants a small pond dug out in a low lying area on the property that is like wetland, and also near a stream(50' away). He says we will hit clay there, and the deepest area of the pond will be 10'. I'll dig it with a cat 315. No liners

Driftwood

Hey Bone also check TractorByNet.com forumhas Lots of guys doing ponds there!

denick

T-B,

Your pond size is no more than a good size basement hole as in yardage to be moved. Digging a pond is the same as a basement, make a plan! Anywhere I know of you need permits for this type of excavation. Most will require an engineers plan. Start there.

What will you do with the 1000+ - yards of fill?

How will it get there?

What will you do if the ground is to soft?

What will be the slope of the banks?

Are you prepared to pump if you need to?

If this doesn't hold water whats your customer prepared to do?

Just a start to questions for you.

__________________
Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein

tbone

How much clay do you line the sides and bottoms?

rino1494

If you are feeding the pond from the nearby stream, then you better get permits from DEP.

__________________
Life is hard. It is harder when you are stupid

Uncle Sam wants YOU....to speak ENGLISH

LNG24

Someone on the boards referred me to this http://www.gartenart.co.uk/

I have since done a lot of research on them and they work well especially at the depths you are looking at.

Good luck with it

dayexco

what's the old saying? "easier to make excuses than ask permission?
"

__________________
someday, i'll be as patient as Nick.

POOLMANinCT

where are you from..

man-made vessel body of water...24" deep... will probably require fencing... have inspectors walk you through every phase,,,

the homeowner claims soil type, qualify soil before start......

I have a feeling you will hit water well before 10ft.
using any wall system for vertical support?
good luck, I'm curious
ray

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

tbone

Thanks for your help guys!

PipeGuy

Things to consider:
What combination of excavation depth and fill height is required to achieve the desired water depth? Will I have enough dirt? Will I have extra dirt?

Will the soil in which the pond is built hold water i.e., is it sufficiently impermeable?

When it comes to any neccesary embankments (dam sections) will the soil be "strong enough" and impermeable enough to sustain the forces of the water behind it (saturation forces, erosion forces, static weight)?

How will the point at which the pond "spills" be protected from erosion?

By what principal means will the pond "spill"? Down a riser? Through a pipe? Over an embankment? How will the spillway be protected from accumulation of debris? Development of vortex?

By what means will the pond "spill" if the principal spillway becomes clogged or otherwise unable to discharge an adequate amount of water?

Does the pond require a means by which it can be periodically drained? If so, can it be drained in its entirety without risk of releasing settled pollutants or does it need to permanently trap a certain amount of water?

What do you want to do with the pond? Water livestock? Fish? Swim? Bird watch? Hunt? What features are required to facilitate the intended use? How might the pond's characteristics need tailoring in order to protect livestock or attract a desired species of fish/birds/animal?

How will the slopes and embankments be stabilized in order to prevent premature sediment accumulations?

FYI-
Before placing any fills for embankments, strip the grass and topsoil.

__________________
Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn

send_it_all

It's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. Something along those lines.....Anyway, this is a good starter pond. Better to start off small with your first one......




That was sarcasm....good luck though.