Creating a Lake

[EddieWalker]

Jim,

Funny that you asked about my roads. I had one surprise where the water going to my small pond came over the road and then went back into another drainage ditch and through another culvert on it's way to that same pond. While I didn't need the water this time, and it still got there, it did erode the crown off of my road and showed me that there was a low area that I wasn't aware of.

tractorshopper,

Thank you. I'm impressed that you stuck with it for a full week. That's flattering to me, and all the others who made this thread what it is. Hopefully you'll start a thread when you beging on your pond. It's not about what we know, but what we don't even think about, that makes the difference in how it comes out.

Eddie

 

[rturner]

Eddie,

Fantastic project. I thought about your lake a couple of times the last few months with all the rain we've had this year.....thought it might be Ocean Marabou by now

 

[tony Cecil]

Dear Eddie

I feel like I know you, after reading and learning a thing or two about your lake.. I took my time reading all the posts, and am sorry I have now done so...A very nice group you have assembled....

My constant concerns with the diked in areas around the farm is the tides....They rise and fall so the enclosed water is sometimes lower with the really big tides....One of the things I plan on doing is create a spillway.....as a hurricane could push a mountain of water over the entire dike, along with the highland...If I had a spillway, the water lever would rise on the inside right along with the outside and save the dike from breaking way away from the highland...We have to use mats and logs to get around it periodically (to cap) it....You sure did a fine job building your lake, so I do not think you will ever have to mess with the structure again......

I personally really would like to see you stop disturbing the earth up stream of the lake, as at one time I thought in one of your pictures it was settled out. I know you need to catch water, but as time goes on only you will notice the natural rise and fall....Never the less ` a lovely job`.... Your new friend Tony Cecil Edisto Island S C

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you Tony. I too wish to stop disturbing the soil that catches the rain runoff. The more I do, the more I catch, and it's really doing a lot better. There is one more big area that I'm losing water that I want to address, but it's not such a priority that I'm working on it right now. Basicaly, when my small 3/4 acre pond overflows, all the water works it's way down to the highway, and then down to the creek. With a few culvers and berms, I can change where it goes and gain all that water, pluse another ten acres of land that I'm missing out on.

Eddie

 

[RadarTech]

Hey man--- your new avatar has a cool looking truck behind you....

can you post a pic of the whole thing?
J

 

[EddieWalker]

Here's a link to the thread I started on that truck along with pictures that I took that day.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/169432-antique-tractor-show.html

Eddie

 

[RadarTech]

Here's a link to the thread I started on that truck along with pictures that I took that day.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/169432-antique-tractor-show.html

Eddie

GREAT PICS--- not sure how I missed that thread!!!

thanks man!

J

 

[bindian]

Guys,
Send that excess rain down to me. My pond really needs it as it is down about 2 feet.
hugs, Brandi

 

[EddieWalker]

Brandi, I sure hope you get something out of these storms. I'm full and looking good right now, but before that last big storm, I was really starting to get nervous about my fish and how long it would be until I started seeing floaters. Lake Marabou is deep enough that I can handle it for quite awhile, but my small pond is only five feet deep and it was down two feet. Another foot and I don't think I'd have any fish left. That pond catches water from all over and it fills very quickly, but it's not deep enough to handle long periods without rain.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[sld]

Hey Eddie,

Aerators can do wonders for the small pond if you have electricity nearby for a pump. We pump water into our 1 acre pond from a well. I added a 90 degree elbow and a stand pipe. It is 2 inch pvc and I glued a cap with a bunch of 1/8 inch holes drilled in it. When I turn the pump on it sprays like a fountain and really helps aerate the water during dry times and no wind.

Can you pump from the big lake into the small lake with a gas powered pump?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Some friends came over last Sunday evening and caught a big one in our pond...I have done no management for about 5 years anow. The pond went down to about 4 feet deep when we had our drought which lasted 3 years (prior to this year). They said they caught a big crappie too.

 

[JESSE1]

Here's a link to the thread I started on that truck along with pictures that I took that day.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/169432-antique-tractor-show.html

Eddie

Great looking truck Eddie! I changed the oil on it today. 40 qts of Rotella 15w40.

 

[bindian]

Brandi, I sure hope you get something out of these storms. I'm full and looking good right now, but before that last big storm, I was really starting to get nervous about my fish and how long it would be until I started seeing floaters. Lake Marabou is deep enough that I can handle it for quite awhile, but my small pond is only five feet deep and it was down two feet. Another foot and I don't think I'd have any fish left. That pond catches water from all over and it fills very quickly, but it's not deep enough to handle long periods without rain.

Good luck,
Eddie

Eddie,
No rain since. Have you thought about making the small pond deeper?
hugs, Brandi

 

[EddieWalker]

sld

I have thought about an aerator, but don't know if I will or not. Just don't know if it's a look that I want, or if the water needs it for what I'm using it for.

Kyle,

That's a beautiful looking fish. Did you weigh it?

JESSE1,

I can't imagine you have enough miles on your truck to have to change the oil? LOL

Brandi,

Did you notice the newest tracking forcasts for the Hurricane or Tropical Storm that's forming? One of the tracks that they are predicting will bring it right over us. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. For you, that's a good thing, for me, it might be a disaster. We still have quite a few roads that are closed that were destroyed in that 8 inch rain that we just had.

I'm still wanting to buy an excavator. There is a Hitachi sitting at the Deere dealer that I drive past every day that is calling out my name. It's an 11 tonne machine, that is smaller then I really want, but maybe in my price range? I'm afraid to stop just in case it is something that I can actually afford and end up buying. I don't know which is worse? hahaha

Eddie

 

[bindian]

sld

I have thought about an aerator, but don't know if I will or not. Just don't know if it's a look that I want, or if the water needs it for what I'm using it for.

Did you notice the newest tracking forcasts for the Hurricane or Tropical Storm that's forming? One of the tracks that they are predicting will bring it right over us. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. For you, that's a good thing, for me, it might be a disaster. We still have quite a few roads that are closed that were destroyed in that 8 inch rain that we just had.

I'm still wanting to buy an excavator. There is a Hitachi sitting at the Deere dealer that I drive past every day that is calling out my name. It's an 11 tonne machine, that is smaller then I really want, but maybe in my price range? I'm afraid to stop just in case it is something that I can actually afford and end up buying. I don't know which is worse? hahaha

Eddie

Eddie,
I want to get a windmill with an air pump and an aerator stone that sits on the bottom right above the silt. I always wanted a fountain, until I heard how much water evaporates while in the air.
Oh yeah, I remember you talking about wanting an excavator. Is the Hitachi the same one that has been sitting at the Deere dealer awhile? I want to find a used one of those inbetween sized excavators. One about 8 ton, the size that can get rubber or steel tracks.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Brandi,

Did you notice the newest tracking forcasts for the Hurricane or Tropical Storm that's forming? One of the tracks that they are predicting will bring it right over us. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. For you, that's a good thing, for me, it might be a disaster. We still have quite a few roads that are closed that were destroyed in that 8 inch rain that we just had.


Eddie

Eddie,
Those kinds of storms are a two way street here. We love to get the rain and are far enough from any low land to get flood surge.:thumbsup: But the tornadoes they spawn wreck havoc around here. All of the damage around here from Rita and Ike was caused by tornadoes laying large oaks over or snapping tall pine trees. But a lot of folks love to help out with their big trucks and Stihl saws........until they see me dragging an untopped 60 foot pine tree with root ball with my Big RED Beast! lol
hugs, Brandi

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Eddie, they didn't get to weigh it. The guy holding it is about 6' tall and the fish's mouth is big enough to fit your fist. So, what do y'all think? I'm guessing 7.5 lbs. They thought closer to 9.

 

[Brahmus]

I'm still wanting to buy an excavator. There is a Hitachi sitting at the Deere dealer that I drive past every day that is calling out my name. It's an 11 tonne machine, that is smaller then I really want, but maybe in my price range? I'm afraid to stop just in case it is something that I can actually afford and end up buying. I don't know which is worse? hahaha

Eddie

Oh yeah, I remember you talking about wanting an excavator. Is the Hitachi the same one that has been sitting at the Deere dealer awhile? I want to find a used one of those inbetween sized excavators. One about 8 ton, the size that can get rubber or steel tracks.
hugs, Brandi

A bit off subject but you both bring it up so I'll offer my $.02. We have a Bobcat 325 (Around 6000lbs) Rubber tracks. You'd be amazed at what a little thing like that can do! Brandi, I'm not sure what your plans are but an 8ton unit is a beast!


We also have a Komatsu PC78 (Around 17,000lbs). Unless you are into Construction I have no idea why anyone would want a bigger machine. I have found nothing I couldn't do with the big unit and we can still move it with a 1 ton and flat bed. It burns less fuel and is about the biggest they make with a blade. The blade offers stability and an added function. Eddie what are your plans for an excavator? Do you have a thread discussing them?

 

[scoutcub]

A bit off subject but you both bring it up so I'll offer my $.02. We have a Bobcat 325 (Around 6000lbs) Rubber tracks. You'd be amazed at what a little thing like that can do! Brandi, I'm not sure what your plans are but an 8ton unit is a beast!


We also have a Komatsu PC78 (Around 17,000lbs). Unless you are into Construction I have no idea why anyone would want a bigger machine. I have found nothing I couldn't do with the big unit and we can still move it with a 1 ton and flat bed. It burns less fuel and is about the biggest they make with a blade. The blade offers stability and an added function. Eddie what are your plans for an excavator? Do you have a thread discussing them?

I thought about getting a machine this size, for lots of stumping/pond digging/and excavating the foundation....was initially set on Cat 307 size, but got a great deal on a Cat 312, (28,000) and it takes awhile with some stumps with that one! Some stumps are a single swipe, but some are very very stubborn, and take some effort. I'm very glad I got something this size....and almost bought a Kobelco pc150 which was the next size up...

 

[Brahmus]

Understood, bigger usually always means a quicker job. One trick is don't dig stumps. Leave the tree intact and push it over from higher up. The only trees that really put up a fight are Pecans, serious tap roots. Of course down here we have ALOT of loose top soil that stays moist. A bigger machine would also mean lots of sinking.