Building Lake Corona

[ovrszd]

Quick question if anyone on here with pond building experience is following since I have none. Should the topsoil inside of the waterline be removed? Going to have quite a bit of area that needs done if so where I'm not currently pulling dirt from.

I would only remove it if I wanted it to topsoil the dam. Otherwise I don't think it's worth moving. Although with that said, I have a topsoil pile that I occasionally get dirt from.

 

[Jstpssng]

All of you who like rocks can come to my place and get all of the red granite that you want. If granite was gold I would be rich.

 

[dragoneggs]

Remove all top soil. Get the pond cleaned up good and packed, then spread top soil where you want grass to grow. Usually you will spread topsoil, plant grass seed, get a good rain, then ruts, then repeat all the above steps. I still have a huge topsoil pile from the last pond.
hugs, Brandi

If you want fish, the topsoil and grasses will help them out with oxygen and nutrients and they will return the favor. I suppose it just depends on how alive you want your pond to be.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree Mark. Aquatic creatures need something to feed on. Bare clay isn't it.

 

[jk96]

I agree Mark. Aquatic creatures need something to feed on. Bare clay isn't it.

Good to know. The two smaller fingers off the main pond would be the areas with top soil. Will probably leave these two smaller areas alone then. May leave a few standing trees or tree stumps as well along with a few large root balls for fish habitat also.

 

[jk96]

JK96,
How about more drone photos?
hugs, Brandi

Will try to get a few more shortly. Need to do some cleanup first of several trees I pushed over inside the waterline this evening. Getting pretty close to being ready to shoot the target waterline. I think I'm probably 3 feet from having the dam built to the overflow level.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I'm no expert, but pretty sure you want the top soil out. Some ponds have to bring in clay or caliche to line the pond. I've also heard of spreading gypsum to help with turbidity.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm no expert, but pretty sure you want the top soil out. Some ponds have to bring in clay or caliche to line the pond. I've also heard of spreading gypsum to help with turbidity.

The nutrient rich soil just needs to be around the banks and shallow water where the light can penetrate. No need for the deep areas. Nothing green will grow without the light anyways. Over time the surrounding vegetation will deposit debris that will naturally create a eco-system and habitat for living things... all good. Some folks will put aeration features in to help promote oxygenation. Waterfalls, fountains of course are popular.

 

[bindian]

Good to know. The two smaller fingers off the main pond would be the areas with top soil. Will probably leave these two smaller areas alone then. May leave a few standing trees or tree stumps as well along with a few large root balls for fish habitat also.

That will work. Pond issues always mutiply from too much vegetation and/or nutrients. Never from not enough. Very soon you will see that. Summer sunshine on standing water will show how it will bloom real fast.

Heavy rains will put topsoil in the basin real fast. You have already seen that with the muck after your rains. Grass on side slopes and the dam is a must. Plant tall grass in the spillway areas.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

The nutrient rich soil just needs to be around the banks and shallow water where the light can penetrate. No need for the deep areas. Nothing green will grow without the light anyways. Over time the surrounding vegetation will deposit debris that will naturally create a eco-system and habitat for living things... all good. Some folks will put aeration features in to help promote oxygenation. Waterfalls, fountains of course are popular.

Pond dyes are sold just to keep excess sunlight from making algae bloom. Too much of a good thing is bad, especially in ponds. Excess nutrients, the neighbor's washed away fertilizer are recipes for algae blooms. Adding in too much topsoil (with it's nutrients) just adds to the muck at the bottom that kills ponds over time.

hugs, Brandi