Cleaning out a pond: Drag line vs. Vaccuum systme vs. Track hoe

[canoetrpr]

Been quite some time since I was on here. I need some rural living advice.

I've got a 1/2 acre pond. Told it used to be 12 feet. I measured it, it is 7 now. Weeds growing like you wouldn't believe. My cattle have not been helpful. They don't go in the pond but I should have fenced it off.

I have an aeration system ready to add with some dye and bacteria but I'm thinking of getting it done quick. This is the last year I could do it and claim it on my taxes as I am a working farm and may not be next year.

Getting three quotes:

1. Pond digging and dragging specialist. Family business since 50 years. Uses a drag line after draining the pond. Stand up guy; had him here today and he said it would be a $20-30k job. Told me not to go with anyone who thinks it is much less. Says he would rebuild all slopes to the proper grade and spread the muck around. I almost fell down when he told me the price.

2. Newish business around here that will use a vaccuum system of sorts. Say they are eco friendly and will not drain the pond. They will 'rake' out the weeds and then use their heavy duty vaccuum to suck the muck out and put it in the woods. Going to be here later this week for a quote. Sounds great in principle. Might attract less ire from the local authorities as well vs. a crane with a drag line.

3. Local guy very well regarded who runs a track hoe and an excavator. He originally dug out this pond some 25 years ago. Impossible guy to get a hold of and to get to show up but when he does I'm told he does a fantastic job and never over charges.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you guys have between these methods of getting the pond dug out.

I'd like to be able to swim in it.

 

[Ken45101]

The vacuum is what they use around here to suction out state lakes, so yes it works with the proper equipment.

AFAIK, the trackhoe will only work on a dry, solid surface. They have limited reach (maybe 25'?) and I assume your half acre pond is a lot bigger than that. (I've heard stories of trackhoes sliding down the mud into ponds that they were going to clean out.)

 

[oosik]

I've seen a vacuum system "do" a pond. The pond was the first cell in a sewage treatment system for a potato processing plant. The system sucked out the muck and forced two miles thru a large diameter pipe to a large tractor with a below ground injections system. You have NEVER smelled bad "stuff" until you have experienced the muck from a potato processing plant. Its as strong & bad as being down wind of the Omaha stock yards times five.
Anyhow - in two days it cleaned out this "pond" and the tractor disposed of the muck over a 30 acre area. Very slick. So I know the right type of vacuum system will do the job. AND it certainly can't smell as FOUL as the pond I witnessed being cleaned.

 

[MossRoad]

Trackhoe with a long dipper stick can go out WAY farther than 25'. I've seen some with a 60' reach.
A half acre pond cleanout shouldn't cost anywhere near those prices. Yikes! And it should only take a couple days to do and no draining either.
The biggest problem I hear about around here is the legality of where to put the muck.... environmental type issues.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I've been trying to figure out the best way to deal with our pond as well, similar in size as yours.

 

[TomSeller]

My duck pond dries out every late summer so I quietly box blade it before the rains start.

 

[blackdog2086]

Since the end result will be the same, a 12' deep pond, just go with the cheapest and enjoy the extra cash in your pocket.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've done my 3/4 acre pond twice with a backhoe and bulldozer. The trick is getting down to solid ground and under the silt after it's drained and been sitting for awhile. You cannot work in silt!!! Once I had a ramp into the pond dug, I had to create an area big enough to get into there, pick up a load and turn around with it. That's the hardest part, but once you have that working area, it's just a matter of time and finding a place to dump the silt.

Jinman did his a few years ago by hiring a guy with a track loader. That worked a lot better them my backhoe because of all the extra traction and the larger bucket. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/69791-silt-happens.html?highlight=silt+happens

Eddie