All These Gorgeous PONDS in... (Madison: buying, construction, contractors)

[Claude Wilson]

OK now. People of Mississippi please educate the
less intelligent of us about ponds/lakes.

In S. California, we have absolutely "NO" real rivers and
the few lakes we have are man-made. EVERYTHING is
the ocean out there.

One thing nobody can deny is that Hinds/Rankin/Madison
counties have the most beautiful pond and lakes--seemingly
endless with lush greenery all around.

I have a question for folks in these parts.

What is the "ball park cost" of clearing 2 acres of wooded
land so that a pond can be built on it?

I'm so ignorant about these things.

Some guy was trying to tell me about "ground water" and
"spring water" and "well water" and "damning streams" to
create a pond. I felt like an idiot, because I wasn't sure
how anyone would know if there's ground water on their
property.

My main question is about the cost of clearing land for
ponds that are 2 acres.

I hear it's a big job.

[Claude Wilson]

**lump in throat**

I guess people down here really DONT know about these ponds.

LOL!

Where is Aunt Bee?

[Robert_J]

It really depends on the land. Flat and no trees vs. hilly and trees and everything in between. A good sized bulldozer and track hoe will run between $100hr and $300hr each. You will need both. My dad made a couple of 1 acre fish ponds on our old farm. It took about a week each.

I think that "damning streams" would take a local religious leader. Damming a stream is completely different method. It is much easier sometimes. If it is an occaisional stream (aka a ditch), then you just make an earthen dam when there is no water flowing. I do know a guy that dammed a stream on his land in the Ozark mountains. Drive in steel re-bar to the height of your dam. Take full 80lb to 100lb pounds of concrete and drop them on the rebar. The only holes in the bags will be where at least 2 bars pierce the bag. The bags will be saturated but will hold the loose concrete as it cures. When done, you will have to fill in a few leaks between the bags but it is a interesting looking dam when the paper disolves. It looks like a stone dam with each stone the shape of a bag of concrete.

As for knowing about ground water, you just contact your local irrigation company. They should have a good idea because they have the water table maps.

And just because no one answered your question after a few hours doesn't mean that we don't know. You asked a question on the weekend. We were out enjoying our lakes and streams here in MS. Now we are back at work and have time to surf the web.

-Robert

[auntbee]

I wish I could help, but that's something I know nothing about.

[Claude Wilson]

Originally Posted by Robert_J

It really depends on the land. Flat and no trees vs. hilly and trees and everything in between. A good sized bulldozer and track hoe will run between $100hr and $300hr each. You will need both. My dad made a couple of 1 acre fish ponds on our old farm. It took about a week each.

I think that "damning streams" would take a local religious leader. Damming a stream is completely different method. It is much easier sometimes. If it is an occaisional stream (aka a ditch), then you just make an earthen dam when there is no water flowing. I do know a guy that dammed a stream on his land in the Ozark mountains. Drive in steel re-bar to the height of your dam. Take full 80lb to 100lb pounds of concrete and drop them on the rebar. The only holes in the bags will be where at least 2 bars pierce the bag. The bags will be saturated but will hold the loose concrete as it cures. When done, you will have to fill in a few leaks between the bags but it is a interesting looking dam when the paper disolves. It looks like a stone dam with each stone the shape of a bag of concrete.

As for knowing about ground water, you just contact your local irrigation company. They should have a good idea because they have the water table maps.

And just because no one answered your question after a few hours doesn't mean that we don't know. You asked a question on the weekend. We were out enjoying our lakes and streams here in MS. Now we are back at work and have time to surf the web.

-Robert

LOL!

Thanks Robert.

That's a lot of good information.

Who knew that it was so complicated making a pond?

[Claude Wilson]

Originally Posted by auntbee

I wish I could help, but that's something I know nothing about.

Me neither Aunt Bee.

HI anyway!

[tweety4747]

I am actually looking to have small lake or pond built for fishing on some property we are buying. Does anyone know of companies that do this?

[Rustyspokes]

Hi Tweety,

I would imagine as slow as construction is these days a number of contractors would be more than willing but I would definitely find one with experience. It is important what type of soil where the pond will be dug. One containing a lot of gravel may result in seepage. To get you started, your local Wildlife and Fisheries extension should have a section dedicated to ponds and a list of commercial hatcheries available.

Wildlife and Fisheries Extension - Mississippi State University - Farm Pond Stocking