Instant Pond

[bindian]

Sorry for the update delay. I was in Austin for my daughter's 27th birthday the weekend of the 21st. On the 29th I got the overflow culvert in and some pond bottom digging.

The last photo shows the culvert fixin' to go in. Second photo finds the Big RED Beast spreading clay on the dam. First photo shows the culvert in and new digging to the left of the island, with the dark areas being silt/mud crusted over needing removal.

At this point the depth is shy of 5 feet.
I took off July 30th and the 31st to get caught up digging. I finally decided to reserve a mini track loader (for this weekend) because the Mahindra could get down drive straight down to the bottom of the pond....loader end first and dig out the dirt and back out..................but the weight of a full bucket put the front tires in the muck up to the axle if I tried to back out. I got frustated just picking up the bucket and dumping it. I could lift the dirt up on the island, but I was finished with the island then.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I fell in love with the Bobcat! It's track footprint with a fully loaded bucket was less than what my rubber boot left in the bottom. Notice the rear end of the tracks off the ground. It was fixin' to tip back as I backed up the dam

Below is a photo of the Bobcat and I on the dam kicking up dust. Luke took some good action photos

.......and below are two photos of me having fun with the Bobcat!

All things must end and running the Bobcat was one of the fun things in life. Here it is waiting on my new trailer, to be returned in the morning.

hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I took post digging photos today. The photo bolow is of the inlet end. It is the end where I got the Bobcat stuck twice in soft dirt I had moved. Luke and I pulled it out with an assist from the Big RED Beast (BRB). I learned real quit to keep the rear end of the Bobcat on firm dirt, just like the BRB with the backhoe subframe.

Here is the finished island. It is all higher than the dam, so it will stay high and dry.

Below are photos from both ends of the island. I paced off the dam today and it is 88 paces, or roughly 264 feet.

I was going to plant a cedar tree on the island, but the one I wanted to move is way too large to plant on the island, as it is over 12 feet tall. Instead I found a 3 foot tall pine tree.

Below is slope of the pond nearest the driveway and my first pond. The BRB did a good job starting the slope and the Bobcat keep it all nice and smooth all the way down.

hugs, Brandi

 

[ENG18LT]

:thumbsup:

 

[jinman]

Very nice! Now, that's some photos you can show potential customers.:thumbsup: It'll show you're not a "one trick pony" with a tractor. You know your stuff with a Bobcat too. You did a very nice job of finishing off the dam around the overflow pond and setting your culvert.

I am concerned about one thing. If you have some rocks or anything to use for rip-rap, you can put it around the bottom of your island. I'm afraid that wave action and water flow will eventually erode that loose dirt down and spread it around. I've never seen any rocks on your place, so I don't know if you have anything to put in there. It's the only think I saw that I thought might need more attention. Very nice work!

 

[EddieWalker]

Very Impressive Brandi. Love how you stick with it and overcome everything that gets in your way!!!!

Eddie

 

[bindian]

Very nice! Now, that's some photos you can show potential customers.:thumbsup: It'll show you're not a "one trick pony" with a tractor. You know your stuff with a Bobcat too. You did a very nice job of finishing off the dam around the overflow pond and setting your culvert.

I am concerned about one thing. If you have some rocks or anything to use for rip-rap, you can put it around the bottom of your island. I'm afraid that wave action and water flow will eventually erode that loose dirt down and spread it around. I've never seen any rocks on your place, so I don't know if you have anything to put in there. It's the only think I saw that I thought might need more attention. Very nice work!

Thanks Jim! Yes, I have numerous photos to put in a "pond building" portfolio. I love building ponds!

Been noticing lots (more than normal) of doves around my first pond. I love seeing them come and go.

No rocks here. I import them all from the Hill Country. I am curious how and where to install silt fencing on the up hill side of the pond and how good that works.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Very Impressive Brandi. Love how you stick with it and overcome everything that gets in your way!!!!

Eddie

Thanks Eddie! Sometimes overcoming can be expensive. Bobcat of Houston hit me with a $57.00 undeclared Damage Waiver all have to pay. It was in the fine print, but the rate was not. Let see....over $500 for water pump and hoses. Almost $500 for mini track loader. Yep, this pond went in fast, but fast equals more expenses than planned!
hugs, Brandi

 

[ENG18LT]

Brandi,

The pond looks very good, you should be proud of your skills and ambition. Those are two qualities that are becoming less prevalent these days. I do have two questions;

- Are you going to stock it with Bass?
- If so when will it be done so I can come sit on the island and fish?

:laughing::cool2:

 

[bindian]

Brandi,

The pond looks very good, you should be proud of your skills and ambition. Those are two qualities that are becoming less prevalent these days. I do have two questions;

- Are you going to stock it with Bass?
- If so when will it be done so I can come sit on the island and fish?

:laughing::cool2:

Lee,
Thanks! I was raised with a cane pole and minnows catching bass in stock tanks smaller than this. Guess I could think about it. But real Texas stock cats!:us-texas:
hugs, Brandi:cowgirl: