OT Digging a Pond

I don't believe I have any restrictions although I will verify this first.

Is there anything I need to look out for, be aware of, etc other than getting the excavation work done?

Thanks.

THanks again.

No "permits" required, as private land, no impact on navigable streams, etc., etc. Over 20' (I think) from original soil level to top of dam might have required a permit from Corps of Engineers, but that was easy to avoid, because we stayed at 18 feet.

I still need 5 feet more water, but it's filling nicely...

One thing to remember: if there's any "feature" you want (humps, ridges, particular overflow tube, water line through the dam for watering livestock) just have NRCS put it in the spec/design sheet. It then becomes part of the package to be bid upon.

I had 4 contractors look at the project and went with (surprising to me, anyway) the guy who was second HIGHEST, but still within budget. He seemed to be more interested in giving me what I "wanted" as opposed to exactly what the design sheet spec'ed. He then included my wants in his bid (beach, water line, GIANT cotton wood removed, then placed back in the water for structurre). The others...well they would've built to spec, but maybe not as cool.

I'd be happy to talk more, but this is getting pretty long-winded...sorry. Matt Clark

If you were, TheRealRon has only highlighted SOME of the issues that would have to be dealt with for the smallest of puddles, if it were to be dug here.

First, you would have to hire and environmental scientist to determine of there were any potential "habitat issues". Gopher turtles, indigo snakes, scrub Jays and basic wetlands could not be jepordized without significant "mitigation". Assuming you were clear of these, but happened to want to place the pond in the natural low area that may have a touch of "wetland soils", then you would need to have your environmental scientist "flag" the wetland areas.

Then after its flagged, you would have to set up an appointment with the various agencies to confirm the flag locations, and move them back and fourth a bit until all agencies are satisfied.

After that, you need to hire a "Professional Surveyor and Mapper" to locate each flag, as well as provide a topographic and boundary survey of your and your adjacent neighbors lot, to "make sure" you do not impact them.

The signed and sealed "jurisdictional" wetlands map would of course have to be verified again and filed with the agencies.

You will also need to dig holes and have a soil scientist determine where the "Seasonal High Water" table is. A detailed report outlining the assumptions and conclusions will be necessary.

While your at it, a "Phase 1" environmental report would be nice, to make sure that there is no potential of underground tanks and the like in the area. They one of the less expensive studies you need at only around $2000.00.

Then, you go to hire a "Professional Engineer" who then takes the topographical data from the surveyor and develops detailed "Construction plans". As a minimum, typical cross sections indicating 4:1 side slopes to a point 2 feet below low water, specific cross sections, existing contours, final contours, haul routes, fill volume calcs., "best management practices" indicating exactly where the silt and erosion control measures will take place, dewatering plans, pump size and placement details, exact type of excavating equipment used, and final seeding and grading plans are necessary, as a minimum.

If you are impacting any "jurisdicional wetlands" then the process gets WAY more complicated, with mitigation plans, wetlands plantings and long term monitoring to "ensure success criteria" is met for the new wetlands.

The engineered plans are submitted with 15 copies, all originals (signed and sealed), to one of several agencies. Just one agency has 15 departments to review and comment on the "application package", which includes all the reports and studies generated to date.

And every one of them will have multiple comments. To paraphrase Truman "Any jacka$$ can kick a barn down, but it takes a carpenter to build one". And so every "Jacka$$" who has no financial or vested interest in your little pond will have all the authority.

The engineer, will have to bow to all the agencies comments, re-submitting numerous times with letters and revised plans, all the while billing you for it.

Of course dont forget the direct "application fees" which run into the thousands, and of coures the "reclaimation bonds" and "road bonds" to make sure that you know how to dig the pond in exact accordance with the engineered plans.

If you ever do actually get all the permits, then digging the pond is simple. But when you finish, then you have to re-hire the engineer, and surveyor to provide final certifications and "as-builts" , and get the final agencies release. Most likely they will find something wrong, and keep a part of the bond money you posted.

So, again Im so glad you in Mo. where I hope you have some property rights left. Here in Florida, we get to pay taxes on property, but really don"t have much control over it anymore.

Good luck with your new pond!

Most of the departments I see mentioned will give you negative answers. I used to build ponds and all the work I did was thru the soil conservation service , they got the permits and did the engineering
for the pond (and supplied the prints ). If the
pond would benefit the farming operation as in
cattle watering and other things they would pay
up 50 percent of their estimated cost , back then
their numbers were quite fair .

george

8-10 # monsters are one thing. Plenty of bass and panfish for entertainment purposes are entirely another while catfish offer one more possibility. So, too, are ponds with deep water around the edges for shore-fishing opportunities.

I bought the videos to get ideas and learned a great deal. From the videos and reading I established a workable plan before we even began excavation. Once we the plan was set we paid a man to come out with a dozer. He was done in 3 days (make sure he seperates top soil from other soil as my guy did). My only complaint is that I did not build banks high enough and last yr. lost a bank on the rear of the pond due to high flood water levels.

• Great Small Waters

Guys like the one that built your pond are one of the main reasons that the government gets so crazy about pond building. Your bank failure had nothing to do with the height of the embankment. Suitable, cohesive soils, width of breast, slope angles and safety factors all play into this. A properly constructed pond has a built in emergency spillway that allows any excess flows beyond the capacity of the outfall structure to be conveyed through a non-fill area that is properly stabilized.

When a home designed pond fails it can be catastrophic to the ecosystem and property owners down stream. That is the main reason for so much red tape. The company that I work for builds ponds every day and have never had a failure in nearly 50 years. Over 90% of the time the existing soils are not suitable to build an impervious dam. Clay material must be used to build the core of the dam. Another huge factor is the type of pipe used for the outfall and the size of the anti-seep collar.

Ponds are high dollar propositions even after you get through the red tape.

I could go on and on but this should get you to thinking. Go to the LA. MISS. ag web sites and look up ponds. They have a bunch of ligature on recreational and farm ponds and read away as we are both very big into catfish farming. I think ARK. and ALA. have some info also. I will link you to one HERE

I can say for certain I don't have any zoning restrictions on my property. It is rural farm land. I suppose the county might have some permit to issue to get the excavation work done.

What type of gov regulations are applicable?

What is an impact statement for a private pond on private land? Is it because of the year-round creek I would use for overflow?

Thanks for any info.

A real good dozer operator is literally worth his weight in gold; makes every movement of the machine do something; no lost time.

Local soil conservation guys even build them for you if you qualify.

Local watersheds are always silting up from ag run-off and cost tons of money to combat. Urban swelling is enormous wanting all the water they can get.

Ponds like mine, on private land, are an asset to the water management system. Minnesota might have 10,000 lakes, but Texas has 10 million ponds.

Like they said, start with the local Soil Conservation Service (Office) and follow the local guidelines. Sometimes they recommend reputable excavation companies.

But I do have an axe to grind with them. I put in a 3 foot dia. drop horn when putting in my 2 ac pond to prevent erosion at the overflow site. Concrete embankments, grassed it in and all, made it real professional. Took pictures one day right after a frog choking rain to show them how well it was working and maybe they would want to use the design for other projects. Went to a lot of trouble. Never heard a word from them. Pfffft.

Mark

Collin or Hunt County?

First, here you need a permit to build any pond. A "wetlands analysis" is required. They start at $5,000.

Second, you can't build any pond within 1,000 feet of any creek, river, or lake, period.

Third, they would likely arrest you for even proposing running overflow into a waterway.

Your county building/zoning folks should be able to give you all the particulars in your area.

Up here in my neck of the Missouri woods, people dig sewage lagoons. The size is based on the number of people the lagoon is to support. The lagoon is used in place of septic holding tanks or public sewage. There seems to be no restriction around me regarding the overflow and distance to creeks. The DNR has recently given their "stamp of approval" on a 3 acre lagoon for a campground with a 3 acre drain field all next to a creek. Of course someone may have slipped a little green "encouragement" to the DNR folks but I dont know for sure.

PS - The clean water source is a live well tested and drinkable. Its about 100yrs old and just wont stop bubbling up.

Thanks anyway though.

That's right down the road.