Pond advice....

[EarthySpirit]

Hi gang. I have a pond question. The blue line you see going through the middle of my 50 acre property is a seasonal creek which empties in a creek on the right side of the picture. The seasonal creek runs about 7 months of the year. Here is my question: I was thinking about about using a bobcat to clear out an area adjacent to the creek, about a foot lower than the creek, so that when the creek runs, it fills up the pond before flowing down. Will something like this work in your mind? And if so, what is the best equipment to rent to pull this off. Thanks everyone for your opinions. I just bought this property last may. thanks!

 

[buckdeer1]

I wouldn't do anything that causes water run out of the creek.If the red is your property line I would just find a low area that works to hunt in most winds and is close to a travel area.If you have any type of low area or an area with a slope that works for hunting then all you need is a shovel,wading pool and you are done.You can do a water hole here also and I like if I can get to some of them to dump water if it's dry.

 

[ruskbuckss]

I have done something like what you are asking about. It wasn't in a creek bed, but a natural low area that drained. I wanted to make sure when my pond filled up that the water flowed out the same way it has always gone. If it was my land I would have the seasonal creek the center of my pond. Dig on both sides of the creek.This way the water will fill up your pond with fresh water and flow back out down the creek bed. I would dig deeper than a foot, a dry year I would think a pond only a foot deep would dry up. I went 5ft on mine. I'm a heavy equipment operator and dig a lot of ponds for a living. The best machine would be a excavator.One thing to consider is where you are putting the spoils and also strip the topsoil off first,save it, and respread it.One other important thing is to make sure to have rip rap or field stone before and after your pond. This will prevent washouts if you get a heavy rains.

 

[woodduck]

It may be a good idea to hand dig a few test holes in the area you are planning on digging your pond to see if the location will hold water. If you don't have a good clay you may not be able to hold water in your pond the 5 months out of the year your stream doesn't run. You may have to put a liner in your pond or have clay hauled in to line your pond bottom with. Also give a lot of thought to your out flow and/or overflow. If your seasonal stream gets any real volume of runoff you will want your drains to support it. Its also a good idea to check your state laws about digging and daming in a stream bed.