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MacDaddy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 95 Western NY
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2005-03-07          107425


Anyone have experience building recreational ponds? I am planning to build a 1-acre pond to be used for swimming. My question is not so much how it should be built to hold water, but are there any design techniques that I should be considering so that I’ll have water that is clear (or as clear as possible)? The pond is fed through spring water, a small tributary with seasonal runoff, and normal surface drainage. Thanks.



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metastable
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 78 North Plains, OR
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2005-03-07          107440


I'm in the process of doing the same thing. Check out documents such as http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/fisheries/420-011/420-011.pdf . Much of the information is based on Federal guidelines for pond building. If you are the type of person who is "above board" on everything, then you may find yourself in a permitting nightmare. Otherwise, dig and enjoy. ....


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harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2005-03-07          107450


Build it and do not get any ducks or geese. Grass carp will keep the grasses down. Ours are the sterial type.

We used to swim in ours all the time but now have 8 ducks and 2 domestic geese along with as many as 44 Canadaians at times, limit when I'll go in.

The dock is 2 poles buried back into the bank so no wood touches the water.

Ours is also spring fed and on the hottest days in July if you dive more than a couple of feet deep big boy and the twins disappear into warmer turf and stay hid for a long time...

Many a times yet on a hot afternoon mowing even with the ducks (lots of water moves thru the pond) a skinny dip is always a refreshing treat. I back the mower up on the oppsite side of the pond and use the deck as a dock also. (NO SAND).

C my pic 1 I'll send you pics of dock if you want them. ....


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2005-03-07          107466


I've dug a few large and deep ponds for clients here in SE Michigan (300,000 and 500,000 gallons). We have a big problem of "string algae", water bugs, and a species of cattail that wreaks havoc. The client stocked them with gold fish that get pretty big, Perch and a few Walleyes. A big stork makes them dinner and now they're gone. Canadian geese love the ponds. The client lets his kids swim in both ponds and they get ear infections due to all the poop in the water (ducks, fish, animals). I wouldn't recommend putting a pond any closer than 100' from a septic system leach field. I'm pretty sure that's why the larger pond stays cloudy all year round. ....


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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2005-03-07          107472


I have a number of ponds in various states of repair in condition. You best bet would be to get in touch with your local NRCS rep. and agricultural extension agent for recommendations specifically geared towards your area. Below is a link to pond management and construction. It is a 39 page .pdf file so it will take awhile to download ....


Link:   Ponds - Planning, Design, and Construction Booklet

 

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MacDaddy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 95 Western NY
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2005-03-07          107479


Thanks for the good advice. The info on those websights is exactly what I was looking for. Thx. ....


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denwood
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 542 Quarryville PA
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2005-03-07          107483


I built our 1 acre pond about 3-4 years ago. I did a lot of research and planning. Mine is spring fed and next to a larger creek, as well as the watershed basin for my whole property. I installed sediment ponds, shunts, flood bypasses, as well as 2 drains, a fixed straight line drain to eliminate possible clogs, and an adjustable drain to control water level. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer. ....


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MacDaddy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 95 Western NY
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2005-03-08          107512


My other main concern at this point is what to do with the excavated material. The pond is located in a naturally low area and will be created by an impoundment or dam at one end so much material can be used here. Also some can be spread around the edges. However, if I am excavating an average of 7-10 feet over a 1-acre area, thats one hell of a lot of material to lose. Any ideas? ....


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2005-03-08          107520


Drive around and look for someone building a new house who needs backfill. Around here fill dirt (clay) is going for $2.50 per yard delivered in 20-24 yd loads. Something to keep in mind and I go through it a lot is, if you decide to put a sign at the road that says "FREE FILL DIRT" for some odd reason people who need that "FREE" fill dirt automatically assume you will truck it there for FREE. Like my dirt-hauling buddies who also get similar calls tell the caller: "Ma'am, yes, the dirt is free but the trucking isn't." Around here the going rate for dirt hauling is $75 an hour per truck regardless the size of truck---5yd or 40yd PLUS the loader time of $100-$150 per hour. The smaller the loader the longer it takes to fill the truck---and the clock's running! ....


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shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 848 Wisconsin
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2005-03-08          107524


A one acre pond seven ft deep would require over 10,000 cu yds of packed material removed. That could require 1000 truckloads. Are you sure you can't use it somewhere?
Dave ....


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harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2005-03-08          107546


Mine is not an acre but it is 11' at the dock and there is an island. I pushed all my topsoil off to one side and pushed all the burden out let it dry cuffed it off and re covered with the top soil most of the yard is raised 3' on the far side as you look at my picture.

How are you going to dig it? Bulldozer or dragline? that will have an effect on how you can loose that much soil or to model it into a nice berm or terrace around the dig.

An island keeps a lot of soil from having to get moved and you'll still have a nice deep large pond. ....


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MacDaddy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 95 Western NY
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2005-03-08          107570


Ill be using a dozer and excavator so that I can move material around. An island is also something I have considered. I may be able to loose more material than I thought in the dam area. Im just trying to keep the pond looking natural in its setting while minimizing the disturbance to my property. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-03-09          107643


Mac, just a word of caution about islands in ponds.

While Harvey is correct in what he says, islands can also be a real PITA.

In my line of work, golf courses, islands are a big NO-NO. They are impossible to cut the grass on easily, and they encourage the use of the pond by geese and other wildlife. This can be a real problem. We have had cases where nesting pairs of Canada Geese made good sized areas around ponds completely unuseable for a period of time during nesting season.

A client of mine had such a circumstance and unfortunately he had visitors who where unaware of the danger and let their toddler 'go see the pretty birds'. The gander attacked the child who suffered a broken arm and several nasty bites before his father could get to him, the father was also bitten and attacked.

Geese are also less than perfect in their toilet habits.

Best of luck. ....


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denwood
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 542 Quarryville PA
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2005-03-09          107657


You are right about the islands Murf. To do over again, I would still insist on my island, I just always wanted one. Mowing is a pain so I let it get a little wild and weed wack it twice a year A bridge would allow predators and mowers with more ease. A pair of Canadas do nest yearly, but they leave as soon as the young can fly. For the rest of the invading geese, 12 guage is the answer and I do resort to it regularly. A 22 just didn't scare them in the least. I am training my Appenzeller to give chase. They hate him. Only the nesters go to the island, the rest are happy on my yard area on shore. I make sure they are gone long before swimming season and limit their numbers at all times, they are crapping machines. One thing I have found very successful is not mowing anything near the pond or island until the young can fly. They tend not to stick around long in 12 inch high grass for fear of predators. ....


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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2005-03-09          107670


Murf,

I would think that in this case; it would be HIGH time for some "goose egg" omlets and a couple of nice tastey goose roasts. ;O) ....


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albmn10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2 wyantskill ny
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2005-03-14          108015


Hello all, im new to this websight, just found this topic and was wondering if anyone had any advise on keeping the algae from building up in my 1/2 acre pond. Ive lived here for 2 years , pond is spring fed but slows to a trickle in mid summer months here in upstate NY. Ive heard of copper sulfate being used, but its no longer legal in Ny. I tried last year using some enzymes and a barley bale from a local fish store but it didnt work very well... Any suggestions would be appreciated... Matt ....


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denwood
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 542 Quarryville PA
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2005-03-14          108016


I believe there is a product called Aquashade? It is a dye that you add to the pond. It blocks the light which algae needs to grow. I have seen it work locally, but have never needed it myself. One kind makes the water look tropical blue, and one makes it black looking. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-03-15          108043


Depending on the type of stuff growing in the water, something as simple as a bale of rye wheat straw will fix it. Bear in mind, it is not a light switch, it takes time to work.

Do a Google search on 'pond water cleaning' or just 'pond water' and see all the info that comes up.

Also, depending on the type and amount of algae you have, and the conditions of your pond, sometimes the solution is as simple as buying some fish or domestic waterfowl (ducks or swans) that will dine on the plant growth quite happily. The colourful large gold fish known as Koi are able to over-winter in the pond as long as a portion of it is more than 6' deep.

If you have too much decomposed plant material in there it may need to be cleaned out first.

Best of luck. ....


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albmn10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2 wyantskill ny
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2005-03-15          108072


Hello, thankyou for your responses, i do have a few geese that hang around in the spring as well as a few ducks.. The pond does have fish in it, bullhead and sunfish and a few other types.. I would like to get some of the koi fish, but the water clarity isnt that good. Plus im not sure of the plant type but it almost takes up most of the pond by mid summer. I would like to use some of the algasides and plant controllers but im in Ny and i need epa permission i guess? Its the only state in the country that they cant send too. Go figure... The natural rememdies dont seem to do it.. I may try to get electric down to the pond to run a small compresser i have or perhaps buy a fountain pump? Maybe one or the other may help control the algae... Matt ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-03-16          108092


Matt, as with a lot things the 'natural' cures are not as powerful as the man-made stuff.

The proliferation of algae you talk about may, depending on the type, be the perfect feed for a school of fish. A lot of that same problem is caused by previous years algae decomposing at the bottom of the pond. This is why I said earlier that it is NOT an overnight fix.

We have had ponds in tough shape like yours that took several years to come around.

Basically you have to attack the problem on several fronts.

You need to physical reduce the amount of fertilizer in the water. In your case the pond is spring so that's easy, put a pump on the pond and pump water out into a ditch or such. With the old water will go the nutrients, and likely some algae, and it will be replaced by fresh clean water.

You need to add something to reduce the algae's ability to grow, barley straw, fish, ducks, or some combination will be likely needed depending on the size.

Finally, you need to consult with an expert who can look at your pond, test the water and advise you on how much of what is needed. This is usually available for free through your local extension office, or for a couple of hundred dollars from a private consultant. I usually recomend the private expert since the gov. people often tell you what the gov. would like to see you do, not what is best for you, in your circumstances.

Best of luck. ....


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