Build A Pond?

[Rowdius]

I've only done a little bit of dirt work that close to Houston, but I would think very hard about using a dozer. If you are going very deep, and if it is worth digging a tank, then it is worth going deep, then you'll probably get into some sticky stuff.

I'd say $5,000 would be a good ballpark figure, depending on your dirt and what type of tank you want. That would be about 50 hours at $100 (which was what the last dozer service I worked for charged for a D6 sized machine, but that has been five years now.) That would include pushing the topsoil to the side and then covering the dam with it after everything was finished (assuming you want a dam on your design.) So, you could get a bigger hole by spending that extra time digging instead dressing up, or just save some money if you wanted to dress it up with your tractor.

Around here most of the people digging stock tanks do not bother with pushing the topsoil aside to use later, but it was a requirement on a few government backed water conservation jobs I did.

Thinking about building a pond. Will be below current grade and be filled with heavy rain runoff from about 20 acres. Many other ponds already in area hold water nicely. Only one or two tend to dry up in summer. No special plans for fish or anything else as this low land is subject to flooding (three times in twenty years). Just for looks and adding to resale value. Have 35 hp HST with loader and am thinking about making passes with subsoiler to loosen things up and then just moving dirt to high ground with FEL. May ask Head Honcho for pond scoop for Xmas to increase dirt carrying capacity per trip if your comments support one. Low budget operation and lots of time. Just thinking and need advise. I can be talked into or outa this project.

 

[AchingBack]

There's been no mention here of earth movers, I believe they are called. Something like a Terex. How would one of those work in pond building?

 

[john_bud]

There you go, ctpres. Hire JB and sit back and watch him go, go, go.

Yes, I was very conservative in my estimate of how many loads you would do in a days time, but I don't figure you will spend all your time going like gang-busters. Some days you will work 2 hours and some you will work 12, but if your soil is rocky or has a lot of clay, I'd plan on setting aside lots of time. The first loads go quickly. Then you have to start dealing with all those spoils and contouring your dam. That's when you and your tractor will start feeling like you're emptying the ocean with a thimble.

yeah, I had a couple weekends with the family out of town and I just fueled up and hit it hard. Only got off the tractor seat to pee. I can tell you for certain, the tractor needs a better seat and I stick my head forward when I work it hard (poor posture). Sore neck and sun burn.

 

[have_blue]

WOW you guys sure know how to put a pencil to an idea. But then that's why I ask the "Experts." I am looking at maybe 1/4 to 1/2 acre at the most. With your help and my fuzzy math it looks like 4,000 trips on the low side. With trips being the key to this project I'd better spend more time thinking about this one.

Been there, done that.

I started a 1.5a pond with small tractors. Luckily, about 18 months into the project, someone rescued me with a dozer and tractor with earth mover. I was so stubborn and determined to do the job, if the guy hadn't come along with the equipment, my grave would probably be on the site.

.25a is doable with a little tractor, but not real advisable. Take Eddie's advice if you can.

Keep in mind that little tractors can dig just fine and pretty fast with the right equipment. However, digging is not the hard part. The hard part is transporting the dirt. That's the part that kills man and machine if you don't have the right equipment.

Also keep in mind that used equipment is a good investment. You can usually buy it, finish your project, and sell it for about what you bought it for. Spend most of your money on moving the dirt. Wish I had known that 8 years ago.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[RWolf]

Definitely has me rethinking my pond project. After calculating I would need to take off for over a year to complete it.

 

[acsoccer10]

Blueriver,

You said,

"I don't know how many years back that was, but this year they charged in my area $1.85 per yard and 2 years ago it was $1.60 per yard. The USDA after you show them where and about how big they then calculate the yardage. Hire the contractor and build a pond. 2 years ago we put in a large pond at a cost of $7500 with the cost share being 75% paid by them, this years project was $3700 with 50% paid by them."

I am looking at building a 1-2 acre pond on my property and did not know there were any government assistance. Can you tell me where I should look?

Thanks,

 

[PineRidge]

Years back we wanted a pond on a parcel that we purchased. After doing the math we hired an engineer and a chap that specialized in building ponds.

The 1st thing they did was to determine if the soil was "right" to hold water. Turns out that where we wanted the pond the soil contained to much sand. We hadn't even considered that!

Fortunately other parts of the property had clay so after the pond was excavated it was lined with clay.

We watched 2 large dozer's, a track-hoe, a sheepsfoot, and dump-trucks all working to get the job done. I quickly learned there were things that I hadn't even considered.

Long story short, the job was done right the 1st time around. And I'm very happy that we didn't attempt to do the work ourselves.

 

[dirtworksequip]

A simple test to determine if your soil is suitable for a pond. Wet it and if you can make a "mudball" you can build a pond. No engineers needed, just a little common sense.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[meadowlarkponds]

ctpres,

If you have the time, lots and lots of time, and the desire you can definitely do it. I've told the story on here of building my first pond when I was about 10 years old working the scoop behind my Dad's popping johnny....hard work, but rewarding. I can't remember how long it took but it seemed forever.

Contrast that with my last pond which was constructed in just over a week w/2 D6's and my own small dozer. I prefer the latter approach.

Like others have said make sure you have good clay...and have sound plan including slopes on the dam and the spillways. Use the USDA pond handbook for reference, if you need one. Good luck.

 

[DWCox]

I recently built a pond which from my best estimates is a little over 1/3 acre. It has an a cored earthen dam. I did as much of the work as I could with my JD tractor, FEL, and a box blade, but finally got to a point where I knew I had to rent a dozer--which I did. I rented the dozer for six days for ca. $1,100, but was done with it in the pond in just 1.5 days. The rest of the time I uprooted stumps, etc. around the property. In retrospect, the dozer was indispensible.

I am now in the process of excavating a much smaller pond directly across the driveway from this larger one, and I am able to use the JD tractor solely on this project. I have been chronicling both projects (with pics and commentary) from planning stage to current progress at The Pond Blog

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but the folks at the pond boss forum were incredibly knowledgable and kindly offered helpful answers to questions I had: Pond Boss Forum - Powered by UBB.threads™