suggestions for cleaning up the pond

[keegs]

The pond has some shallow spots around the perimeter where it looks like someone cleared away the dirt to allow a few springs to flow and there's some silting going on where a small brook enters into the pond. The water is clean and deep in the middle and so I'd like to try to spruce it up some and maybe use it for swimming.

I've read where some will drain the pond and excavate it out with a dozer. I'm not sure that's necessary and was thinking about how effective it would be to hire an excavator (with and extended arm) to go around the perimeter and dredge it out some. Any comments?

By my rough calculations the pond is just under an acre.

 

[jinman]

No matter what method you use, the problem always becomes what will you do with the spoils? If you just make a complete or partial perimeter circle with an excavator, you are going to cover the pond edges with nasty looking and smelling mud. If you are okay with that, then it's not a problem. However, if you don't want it, you'll need a truck to haul off the spoils. Even with that method, the pond will be a mess for the rest of this year and part of next year before it recovers enough to even consider swimming.

 

[keegs]

Thanks Jim...I spoke to someone about this last year and he mentioned the muck issue. He suggested piling it up and letting it dry out. I think he may have meant keeping it exposed and letting it compost/decompose.

The pond is about 500 feet from the house. I'm not sure how stinky a pile of pond muck will be but I hope that's a safe enough distance.

There's a six inch exit pipe at one end of the pond that provides some turnover.

 

[forester2]

Been thru it myself. Problem with excavator is how far you can get out. If its just the edges, you'll be OK. I was actually able to work some of the spoils immediatly with my tractor, spreading it to dry faster. Have done quite a bit more over the years with my backhoe using the same technique and it speeds up the process. To get out a long distance, finding a drag line operator will make a difference.

 

[psj12]

The guys who do ponds have some long reach excavators. You could also hire a crane service to use a dragline bucket.

The spoils should make excellent garden soil particularly if tilled in with existing soil.