Pond

Hambone · Aug 23, 2003

After reading Eagle 1's post in owning/operating under FEL uses I decided to start my own pond using my 2210 with FEL and BB. Worked for about two hours last night and thought I did well. I did take some pics, but, no digital camera.
I probably moved enough dirt to fill a single axle dump truck. Mine will be slightly bigger than Eagle's, probably be 15x30. I hope it will hold water! I will have two field tiles running into, along with some field runoff, and one running out for overflow. The area was always wet before we put the tile in for drainage. I also have a extra well out by the barn (120ft away) that I can get a pump for and use for fill if I need to.

I have been debating on liner. I think I can get some liner from work that will be plenty large enough and 60 mil thick. It is a synthetic liner used to line the bottom of landfills. The left over on the 22ft roll is sometimes 50 ft or so. I think that should do the trick if I decide to use liner.

Any input on liner??

Henro · Aug 23, 2003

My pond was once a wet spot too...

I would say if you can get the liner materal for free or real cheap why not put it in? It won't make the pond leak...and may make it water tight in the event it would have leaked.

Otherwise, you will be messing in mud when you find you have to put it in later...

Just the way it seems to me at the moment... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

By the way...no liner in mine...

Hambone · Aug 27, 2003

Here is a pic. Just a start.

Hambone · Aug 27, 2003

First day.
About two hours.

Docsknotinn · Aug 27, 2003

How deep is that goona be ? You might need an intake snorkel before youre done /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

dmftoy1 · Aug 27, 2003

That whole pile came out of you digging? WOW! From the pictures you can't even tell if there's any 'depth' to it. Keep'em coming! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Have a good one,
Dave

Eagle1 · Aug 28, 2003

Isn't amazing how much dirt comes out of a "little" hole. Somehow my pile looked like twice as much dirt as the hole should have held. Looks like progress from here.

Currmudgeon · Aug 28, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I can get some liner from work that will be plenty large enough and 60 mil thick. It is a synthetic liner used to line the bottom of landfills. )</font>

If you can get a free Cadillac, why mess around with Chevys.

I would generally recommend a clay liner, because they are cheaper, but you can get a sufficiently large piece of synthetic liner, then go for it. Be sure the pond bottom is clean; free of rocks and pokey things, or you'll not have a liner.

The other advantage of a clay liner is that, if you can find the hole, you can fix it yourself.

dhvd79a · Aug 28, 2003

If you use the liner, and I think you should, it is recommended that there be some kind of "pad" between the liner and the soil. I've read about using newspapers, old carpet, sand, you get the idea. Any tree roots or sharp rocks have the potential penetrate your liner.

Dave

Hambone · Aug 28, 2003

I think I am done, will have film developed hopefully this weekend and post on Monday. It turned out to be 35ft long and 18 wide. Not as deep as I wanted, but, ought to keep the dogs cool. You can see I have no shade yet.
The depth is only 4 ft.
Patiently waiting on rain! It has been a month or more since it has rained.

As the liner goes we just started a project a work and will be a couple weeks before they are done with the liners. If it hasn't rained will probably throw one in, or if it runs out first /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The clay is really hard and my little tractor sure was grunting coming up out with the BB full!

I bet I had around 10 to 12 hours from start to end.

Docsknotinn · Aug 28, 2003

I am amazed that you did that with a 2210. Who said that FEL was too small ??? lol. Looks good now you just need to get that PH digger goin to put some trees around it and in no time you'll be in your own back yard paradise /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

Hambone · Aug 28, 2003

Thats the plan Dave!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Maybe in 15 years when I retire I will be good to go!

Docsknotinn · Aug 28, 2003

I'll bring the steaks and beer If you provide the little inflatble donuts /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

EagleEye · Aug 28, 2003

Steve, I am not trying to be funny but if you end up making a nice looking pond with that tractor, I am really going to be not only impressed, I'll be INSPIRED.

Keep those forum entries and pictures coming.. . I just added this thread to my favorites! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hambone · Sep 2, 2003

Update

Hambone · Sep 2, 2003

Getting close

Hambone · Sep 2, 2003

Might need to adjust the runoff tile a little lower!

EagleEye · Sep 2, 2003

Steve, I'm impressed... Looks like you are putting in a good effort and it's paying off. I do have a question... What is your soil like? I have all hardpan here and while I may have a bit larger tractor, it looks to me like your soil may be a bit more agreeable to your efforts.

Hambone · Sep 3, 2003

Thanks EagleEye.
My dirt is mostly clay. It had not rained in over a month so it would crumble decent. I would use the BB with the scarifers all the way down and box tilted forward to be able to get a load. When I first started that would take way to much bite and stop my tractor. But, after the first six inches or so it was a lot tougher. Without the scarifers down it would hardly get any dirt loose at all.
We got over 5 inches of rain from Saturday to Monday. Sure did fill it up!