New Pond Build

[Foggy47]

So....immediately after my rifle season....I have contracted with a local firm to dig me a pond and use the spoils to fill in a corduroy road I started some years ago through a area. I get the pond and a better means of travel out of the deal. I have a super area to dig that pond.....and I am near certain this will be a favorite area for deer and bears in the time to come.

He has a large track-hoe, two small dump trucks and a bobcat to place the spoils. Good plan. Says he can do it in a day....if things go as planned.

My question becomes....is there a favorite "shape" for a pond I should plan for? My contractor says I should plan on a pond that is about 5 feet deep in the middle and about a 50 foot diameter in order to get enough fill for that trail project. Would you make an "island" in the middle or a kidney shape or ??? I hink I will try to make about a 5' high berm that could be used for a ground blind or perhaps a spot to hunt from my golf cart (my lets are going....and perhaps I can use this berm in the time to come).

I got good trees and cover all around and a good trail to transport the spoils to my road build. Also can have some food plot near this same area. And t's in a great spot improve as there are plenty of game trails nearby. I'm nearly certain at 5' deep I will maintain good surface water the year around (it's a low area).

Don't want to miss any obvious inclusions. TIA for any pointers. This should be a fun project.

No Fish...we got lakes for that.

 

[SD51555]

I’d be thinking about how you can hunt the pond, access where you’re gonna hunt, and where the deer might come from, prevailing winds, etc.

I’d also ask him to gather up the topsoil and spread that where you need it, plots, or stockpile it.


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[Foggy47]

I’d be thinking about how you can hunt the pond, access where you’re gonna hunt, and where the deer might come from, prevailing winds, etc.

I’d also ask him to gather up the topsoil and spread that where you need it, plots, or stockpile it.


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Good thoughts.....I may get them to make a pile of my top soil and use thatt to cover over the excavated area. After about 8" ....it's all sand.

I have considered the winds....and a good access route and such. The area will be primo. I like the berm idea....as I am not getting more mobile going forward. May develop a place to park my UtV....which h as a windshielld that opens for shooting. Or....the ground blind idea may be more viable.

Trying to plan for aging.....and my legs are getting pretty weak and full of arthritis.....and I got joint problems. I still can motivate....but not getting easier. The last fall (a few weeks ago) really set me back. Strange how fast this chit happens.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Is there a way to taper the sides to prevent cattails or phragmites from growing. Previous owner of my property made a pond and it's chuck full of cattails.

 

[SD51555]

Also, if you have any bonus fixes nearby. Stumps, holes, trees.


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[Foggy47]

Is there a way to taper the sides to prevent cattails or phragmites from growing. Previous owner of my property made a pond and it's chuck full of cattails.

the contractor doing the digging does want to taper the sides of the pond to about 5 feet deep. pretty sure we will be in water at about 4 feet deep....maybe less. Gonna have to make judgement calls on site. Hard to know some of the outcomes. Somthewhat of a crap shoot. My contractor is an outdoors guy tho....and has done lots of these kinda projects. I trust his experience to a degree.....but none of us know it all.

 

[Telemark]

Is he bringing clay, or are you trying to excavate 5 feet below the water table?

 

[Foggy47]

Is he bringing clay, or are you trying to excavate 5 feet below the water table?

I think we will be at the water table at about 3 feet deep. Not planing on clay at this point. Most of my land is just a few feet above the water table. I have trouble digging a post hole in many areas.....as the water / sand combination caves away.

 

[Telemark]

What are the dimensions of the pond? I think islands are good if it's a really large pond but difficult with smaller ponds.

As far as shape, I like a kidney with a little bump-out on the top. Then plant some cover near the bump so the deer feel safe coming to get a drink.

 

[Foggy47]

What are the dimensions of the pond? I think islands are good if it's a really large pond but difficult with smaller ponds.

As far as shape, I like a kidney with a little bump-out on the top. Then plant some cover near the bump so the deer feel safe coming to get a drink.

My excavator estimated about a fifty foot diameter....tapering to the depth at center to be about 5 feet deep. I like that bump idea. Also considering how to use some switchgrass to isolate and provide security. Not sure I got a big enough area for an island.....though the kidney shape is likely. Lots of variables to consider.

 

[Foggy47]

My excavator estimated about a fifty foot diameter....tapering to the depth at center to be about 5 feet deep. I like that bump idea. Also considering how to use some switchgrass to isolate and provide security. This is in a very wooded area so cover abounds. Not sure I got a big enough area for an island.....though the kidney shape is likely. Lots of variables to consider. I may have him build a berm for a ground blind...or to keep elevation low for a box blind.

 

[Telemark]

Don't plant the switch too thick. I've spent a few years planning my switchgrass stands, and the super thick stands seem to be almost impenetrable. If you plant it sparse you get good cover that is still open enough for them to pass through, and various forbs and bushes fill in the rest. There's plenty of posts here with details on that.

 

[Foggy47]

Don't plant the switch too thick. I've spent a few years planning my switchgrass stands, and the super thick stands seem to be almost impenetrable. If you plant it sparse you get good cover that is still open enough for them to pass through, and various forbs and bushes fill in the rest. There's plenty of posts here with details on that.

Yep....that is what I did this year. Not too heavy. Used about 5# / acre of RC Sundance....and some areas got pretty sparse....with a few openings. Not by my design so much as by fate and the luck of the draw. I need to see how this goes next year.....and then determine if I need to thicken the switch I planted. Seems to me Switch is a bit of a crap shoot.