I'd like to have a pond on my property. I've got a spot that could take about a 2.5 acre pond, ~70 acres drainage, all grass. The pond would be about 500 feet long and 6.5 feet deep. Any guesses on what it would cost to have it dug? I'm just looking for a range--I know there's not enough information here for an accurate estimate.
Pond Question
- Thread starter Believer
- Start date
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20 20
Elite Member
Need more info, every area and contractor has a different price range. Your best bet for a price range would be to contact a few contractors{heavy equipment operators} in your area. Talk to neighbors that have ponds and find out how they went about the operation.
sld
Veteran Member
The method I used for my 1 acre pond was to let a contractor take all the top soil he wanted for free. Over a 2 month span he dug out about the first 3-4 feet and trucked it away. He also contoured the sides and dam.
Then I paid 400.00 cash for a back hoe to dig deeper in spots and clean everything up. A big back hoe can do a lot of work in a short time. This was in 1989 so prices will be higher.
I met the back hoe operator when the big 4 wheeled loader turned over on its side in some loose dirt. The hoe was down the road digging a basement and when he finished he came and pulled the loader upright. While we were standing there I asked what he would charge to finish it up. He said 400 bucks and fishing rights but he has never come back to fish to this day.
One more cost saver was the addition of an island. You can store a lot of dirt on an island that doesn't have to be moved very far. Also, the island really adds to the pond too.
Then I paid 400.00 cash for a back hoe to dig deeper in spots and clean everything up. A big back hoe can do a lot of work in a short time. This was in 1989 so prices will be higher.
I met the back hoe operator when the big 4 wheeled loader turned over on its side in some loose dirt. The hoe was down the road digging a basement and when he finished he came and pulled the loader upright. While we were standing there I asked what he would charge to finish it up. He said 400 bucks and fishing rights but he has never come back to fish to this day.
One more cost saver was the addition of an island. You can store a lot of dirt on an island that doesn't have to be moved very far. Also, the island really adds to the pond too.
SPIKER
Elite Member
where are ya at?
one thing is soil type conditions will vary and some areas cant hold water others will fill up if ya stick a shovel in the dirt & move it out of the way! lol...
My old Bosses place is clay for 25+feet will hold water in a foot print for 10 years.
my place 10 miles as the crow flys is gravel below 3' and wont EVER hold much water without trucking in clay & tossing down a liner...
PS we put in 7 acre lake mostly all dug with dozers and track hoe at the bosses place. cost was 2 months rental of a d6 dozer 2300 bucks and an additional 2 grand for track hoe & trucking out clay...
Mark
one thing is soil type conditions will vary and some areas cant hold water others will fill up if ya stick a shovel in the dirt & move it out of the way! lol...
My old Bosses place is clay for 25+feet will hold water in a foot print for 10 years.
my place 10 miles as the crow flys is gravel below 3' and wont EVER hold much water without trucking in clay & tossing down a liner...
PS we put in 7 acre lake mostly all dug with dozers and track hoe at the bosses place. cost was 2 months rental of a d6 dozer 2300 bucks and an additional 2 grand for track hoe & trucking out clay...
Mark
rekees4300
Elite Member
IMO a pond that large needs to much deeper than 6.5 feet. It will quickly fill up with muck and cattails. You will also have problems with algae due to warm water from sunlight penetration, winter/summer oxygen depletion resulting in died fish. 20 feet deep would be more appropriate.
sld
Veteran Member
Rekees brings up a good point about the depth. Extra depth also guards against dry times so you will still have some water.
You wouldn't have to make the whole thing 20 feet deep though. Just one end or the middle would probably be fine. Some shallow area is needed for spawning.
