Dirt Moving What to buy to repair a fishing pond

[plowhog]

I would do some further research. My pond is 1.1 acres, max depth 12 feet. It has silted in over 40 years, and it used to be deeper. that's just part of pond ownership.

I was cautioned about digging up muck to reclaim the pond. If your pond had clay in the bottom, if you dig out the clay you expose a hole. The effect is just like pulling the plug in the tub-- whoosh there goes the water.

And, if your pond bottom is clay, you have another issue. If clay is allowed to dry, which you will want for working on top of it, the clay cracks. When it cracks you get leaks. All ponds leak, it just varies from a little to a great deal. It's called seepage. Another fact of life for pond owners.

I'd get some quotes from professionals, and ask how they would approach the job and what equipment they would use. It sounds like a fun project-- as long as you don't inadvertently cause damage you are unaware of.

I mentioned to my pond expert I had considered adding another spillway but cutting into the earthen dam. He just shook his head and said no. Too many ways for things to go wrong. So I would investigate the method for reconstruction the dam. I have not done that but I presume its more than just filling in dirt.

Good luck. Sounds like a fun project!!

 

[plowhog]

You might consider also posting your question at pondboss.com in the forum section. There is a section devoted to renovating ponds.

 

[D2Cat]

Someone said, all pond leak. That is false! Do many ponds leak? Yes. But not ALL ponds leak.

If you want to clean the muck out of a pond a tractor is the absolute last tool to use. You need a tracked machine. If you drain the water it may take two years for it to dry, even then it won't be totally dry.

To effectively get the pond cleaned you have it drained, then with a track hoe or track loader start on one side and take some muck and some new material from the bottom in one pass. If you only take some off the top you will be stuck. Even with a tracked machine you would be spinning and very ineffective.

The consideration of removing the clay that is sealing the post is a real concern.

I can show you a picture of a pond that was cleaned after the owner passed away and his son wanted to clean the pond. The son had been away from the area, but came back home and decided to rework the pond. Neighbors told him afterwards that his father made a deal with the county when they needed material for a road, that he would trade the dirt for a good pond. The county hauled in truck loads of clay to seal the pond. Been two years now with a big area below the dam that is just starting to grow weeds. The pond level is WAY down. Be careful of what you remove.