What should I expect to spend for a 1/4 to a 1/2 acre pond?

clovergamecock · Mar 5, 2007

I have roughly 7 acres of pasture and would like to put a small pond on it. My land is right near and slightly below a 2 lane highway and sits slightly above the neighboring property. there is a natural gulley area already where rain water runs off the highway and down my property. I am assuming that my pond could be fed by run off but not really sure how one is or should be set up. What should I expect to spend to have a 1/4 to a 1/2 acre pond installed? I am guessing that this project is a little much for a first timer DIY guy.

Thanks
Wade

dooleysm · Mar 5, 2007

Very similar to what I did. The contractor I hired brought in a large trackhoe and a D8 dozer for the bulk of the work. He also used a small dozer for some finish grade work. I think it was less than $5k for the whole thing and it's right around a half acre. I had a pretty steep gulley and ended up with about a max depth of 14-16 feet. He also had to remove 3 medium sized stumps, which he did very quickly with his trackhoe.

dooleysm · Mar 5, 2007

Oh yeah, I think the trackhoe and D8 work was $120/hour and the smaller dozer was $80/hour. It took less than 4 10-hour days for those two and just maybe 2-4 hours with the smaller dozer.

This was in September 2005, so fuel was pretty well the same cost. I imagine prices are very similar today.

MadReferee · Mar 5, 2007

Go on over to Pond Boss and select "Ask the Boss". That forum is the TBN of ponds. Very active. They will have all your answers.

clovergamecock · Mar 5, 2007

Thanks guys your replies are making me feel a little better. I had heard (from non ond people mind you) that it was going to cost my $18-$20K!!!

I will check out that site.

Thanks
Wade

Gibsonapp · Mar 6, 2007

I just built one 1/2 acre pond and i am working on another 3/4 acre pond, so far only out around 3500.00. No permits here so that was not a problem. The one i finished is fed by runoff, other will have spillover from first and also has a couple of springs in it. Dug most of this with my little 2120 FEL and backhoe..... just wanted to see if i could

going to start coring the dam this weekend, will see how that goes.........

dooleysm · Mar 6, 2007

In Indiana, you don't need a permit as long as you are holding back less than 18' of water height. Once it's over that it gets much more expensive.

A big dozer and trackhoe can move so much dirt that they can shape a half acre in any way you can imagine relatively quickly.

EddieWalker · Mar 6, 2007

Too many variables to guess at here. A picture wold help, but it all comes down to how much dirt has to be moved, and how far you have to move it.

Since it's a small pond, you could probably build it with just a good sized dozer in a few days. If he has to take out trees and clear the area, that's more time, which means more money.

Rates also vary, but a good sized dozer around here is $100 an hour. I dug a small pond about a quarter acre in a three days, but spent more time spreading out the dirt then I did actually digging it with my dozer.

For a wild guess that really doesn't mean anything, I'd look to hire just a dozer with operator for a week at $5,000. Of course, that might not be a reasonable price in your area, I really don't have a clue. I also think that's a bit high, but without pictures or seeing the site, it's just a wild guess.

Good luck,
Eddie

clovergamecock · Mar 6, 2007

Thanks guys. I will take some pics of the area this evening. No permits need in my area which is Clover SC. The only thing that I may have a problem with is that the site I am wanting to use is located under some high voltage power lines that I have going through my property. I own the land but there is a right of way that limits permanent structures such as houses and barns. There are other propertioes in my area that have power lines going over there pond but not sure if there are special waivers needed or how a pond would be defined. The property is in a clear and open pasture so there are no trees to move just dirt and grass.

Thanks
Wade