Small Pond Project.........

[s219]

Wow, having an ice scaffolding to work on is a luxury for dock building. That is a great benefit that I never even thought of (seems like most marine construction crews take the winter off, but maybe they are missing a real shortcut!).

Our creek has froze over, but is tidal so I am not brave enough to set foot on the ice. But it would really make my life easier, as I need to run some wiring under the pier. Maybe if we get a real serious and long cold snap....

 

[jimmyj]

I just saw this thread for the first time and have to say "Awesome". I love the setting, the house and the pond. You must be so pleased!!!! Thanks for sharing this, it's just great. Congratulations.

 

[cartod]

My pond froze over a few years ago and I wasn't sure if it was thick enough to stand on or not, so I gave it a try. It wasn't, but fortunately I was only in six inches of water!!!

How are you building your dock? Are you able to drive your posts into the ground? I watched a crew build a dock last year and they had a massive version of a t post pounder. The cut the tips of the logs into a point with a chain saw, then set the log from pontoon boat. Once set, three of them stood all around it and pounded it in just like a t post. Having ice to stand on would make it easier then using a pontoon boat!!!!

Eddie

The telephone poles were put in with a back hoe, I dug down as deep as I could and placed them before the water was up to them. I cut some holes in the ice clear at the end of the dock and pounded in two steel poles for extra support. Im hoping the poles are big enough that they wont get pushed into the ground anymore and the two pipes I drove in should help support.

 

[EddieWalker]

I know this is just an early picture of the initial framing, but I'm not sure why they didn't put the beams in under your joists? I'm guessing that single bolt holding up your joist is just to hold it in place for leveling and squaring it up? I usually just use a screw since I have to take them out and do it over again until I get it right. I hope you have enough room under your joist for the beams to go under all three joists when you connect them to your posts. Be sure to use at least three bolts going through both beams and the post. Code has been changing on the use of bolts for load support and in a lot of places it's not legal anymore. But with three per post, you should be fine for that sized deck.

How are you going to carry the load of the deck onto the metal pipes? Are the C clamps just another temporary way to get it all framed out?

Nice to be able to walk on the ice. If my pond ever froze over that much, I might be tempted to do the same thing!!!!

Eddie

 

[s219]

What we did for my pier was to bolt double 3"x8" carrying beams across the pilings (i.e., side to side) and then the long "joists" sat on top of those. That way you have a short heavy beam transferring loads to the pilings over a short distance, and two of them spreads the load and fastener requirements. The longer more flexible 2x lumber for joists doesn't have to be part of the main structure or be relied on to handle a bolt loading, it just supports the decking.

Though I like to notch stuff in for general construction, for piers in this area, beams are always bolted on to pilings without notching, using 1 or 2 heavy bolts. I suspect it's done that way to avoid cutting into the beam and exposing the core wood to repeated submersion from tides, high water, etc, but that's just a guess. Could be due to labor and the complexity of working down near the water line. Depending on the size of a bolt, it can support thousands of pounds of a load, so if done carefully it should be OK.

Here's an example:

 

[cartod]

Once we can get back on the ice I will put in some beams below the joists. It has warmed a bit and made it unsafe for a few weeks. There are more bolts in the joists now than the photos as we were scabbing it together. I will post more photos. Thanks for the input.

Oh and there is still plenty of fish below!

 

[cartod]

I just saw this thread for the first time and have to say "Awesome". I love the setting, the house and the pond. You must be so pleased!!!! Thanks for sharing this, it's just great. Congratulations.

Thanks for posting.

 

[davesl708]

View attachment 408790

Just a note. Do not allow trees or brush to grow anywhere on the dam. Woody plants will destroy it in time. The roots will grow toward the water and then a leak. Grass only.

 

[wngsprd]

Such a nice sized rainbow - glad they are doing well in your pond. Haven't seen that color Fitbit before.

Glad your project is shaping up so well. Looks so different than when you posted your first photos of trees.

 

[docone]

Amazing build! I also have plans for 2 small ponds and stream between them to pump the lower one back to the top. first though have to finish the house. Currently living in a 600 sq ft apt in my shop. My wife is a very patient lady, as we've been living in the apt for a year now, while I get all the ground works in. Look like a couple years b4 I get to the pond.
Enjoy your place, it's beautiful!