Digging new pond??

[cynikalHC]

So I have twenty acres and I am going to have a new pond put in. Has anyone dug their own pond, or know what kind of prices they charge to dig one? I am thinking about 180' X 150' and about 12' deep. I was thinking about just renting a dozer and digging it myself but dont know if thereare any special things that need to be done to make sure it holds water and such. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[North Texan]

There's a lot to go into putting in a pond. First, pond size isn't usually determined by what size you want, it's what size your watershed can support. In my neck of the woods, it takes a minimum of 15 acres in the watershed to maintain 1 acre-foot of water. 25 acres per acre-foot is better. You may need more or less depending on how much rainfall you receive and what your evapotranspiration rates run.

Next you have to have an appropriate spot. If the soil isn't clay, it probably won't work. Sand or sandstone is a big no-no. It won't hold water. It also needs to be fairly rock-free. If it is not, it gets expensive real quick, and it may not hold when you are through.

With fuel prices sky-rocketing, digging a pond is getting expensive. When I was doing pond design work a couple years back, a 1/3 surface acre pond (12' deep) was running a little over $3000. I would imagine prices have doubled, if not more, since then. But it's been a while, so about all I can offer in the price department is speculation.

[huntndemducks]

wouldn't try digging a pond unless you are expirenced in doing so

[childers]

gunna be expensive. i would hire some a company. i wold also make it bigger. if you put it into perspective, its not that big just over half a football field. if you hve the land, i'd try to use some more personally.

[m.t.hands]

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

first, talk to your county ext agent, could save you a ton of money and heartache


BTW, its not just about "digging a hole"

[wis_bow_huntr]

First off have the DNR come out and make sure what youre digging isnt considered "wetlands". If so you may have a hard time getting a permit to build your pond.

[North Texan]

The first person I would contact would be your local USDA-NRCS rep.

[JeffS]

Yes you need to look at the land and find where it drains to. If you put it in the wrong place it will never fill up. There is a lot of planning that goes into putting in a pond. It is actually cheaper to hire someone to dig it than try to do it yourself if you are not expereinced.

[Siman08/OH]

My family drained our pond in 2002 and re-dug it. It is almost 1 acre surface size and it cost about $7000. It was definitely worth it though.

[rackaholic89]

i know a couple of people around here where i live that got their ponds dug for free by the county because they wanted the clay