- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Building a pond, where to start?? Paging NASCAR
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:23 am
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:23 am
What are the steps to starting to build a pond? I am wanting to put a 3-5 acre pond at some property in Webster Parish and have no idea where to start. Do we need a permit for pond on private land? Also what are some dos and don'ts for this? If you have built or had a pond built what is something you wish you added and something you probably could have done differently. Thank you in advance.
This post was edited on 5/26/20 at 3:49 pm
14
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:28 am to thedogman
What are the purposes of this pond? Stocking to fish? What type of fish?
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:30 am to thedogman
Paging NASCAR....
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:34 am to thedogman
Consult with your Fed natural resources office. They will set you up with someone to test your ground and make sure it will hold. I have a pond in the back yard that about 2.5 acres.
It was built by my wife’s grandfather about 35 years ago. We talked about expanding it to 4-5 acres a few years ago. The spot looked great and I already had a few bids from contractors. I got the soil guy out here and he tested it. The soil changed and it was mostly sand with some clay and gravel. He suggested that I leave it as is. That saved me a lot of money. Give them a call before you start.
It was built by my wife’s grandfather about 35 years ago. We talked about expanding it to 4-5 acres a few years ago. The spot looked great and I already had a few bids from contractors. I got the soil guy out here and he tested it. The soil changed and it was mostly sand with some clay and gravel. He suggested that I leave it as is. That saved me a lot of money. Give them a call before you start.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:34 am to thedogman
I am in the final stages of my pond building. Its 5 acres here in Texas. WE didn't need any permits for it other than the well I am using to help fill it and keep it full. I have been digging and selling dirt out of it for 3 years and once I get my ramp put in I will be ready to fill it. Have about 3' of water in the bottom now. Like the previous question what kind of pond are you looking for. Mine is primarily fishing. About 30' deep in the deepest part with about half of it shallower water and the rest deep. Soil condition is important. Need clay for it to hold water or you can use bentonite or soil floc to help it once its full.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:35 am to thedogman
First and foremost, I would go and talk to your Parish/County office and let them know what you want to do and get their approval first. Some are cool and less controlling, others are complete Nazis. I'm sure you will have some fees/permits.
I assume you understand how your property drains and hopefully you have a good slope where you can build up a good size dam and have a deep lake without much digging. If not, then I'd either rent or get someone in with a decent bulldozer and make a good 12+' hole towards the dam. You want it to have enough water to withstand dry weather. Plenty of lake/pond building videos on youtube to see how they're done. Main thing would get govt authority since they can ruin your life.
I assume you understand how your property drains and hopefully you have a good slope where you can build up a good size dam and have a deep lake without much digging. If not, then I'd either rent or get someone in with a decent bulldozer and make a good 12+' hole towards the dam. You want it to have enough water to withstand dry weather. Plenty of lake/pond building videos on youtube to see how they're done. Main thing would get govt authority since they can ruin your life.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:38 am to thedogman
Permit will vary from parish to parish. For one that size you need to know what you want to do with the dirt. I would explore digging a dirt pit and sell the dirt for a few years. It’ll make for a really deep pond and you’ll make some money off of it. You can find a local dirt contractor and negotiate with him and you get a cut of everything he sells and it pays for itself. One that big you can consider sinking Christmas trees and other stuff. I would go deep with it if you want to fish. Have some spots 15-20 ft deeper.
I have about a half acre pond. Not near what you’re trying to accomplish so that’s my 2 cents but its how i would get started.
I have about a half acre pond. Not near what you’re trying to accomplish so that’s my 2 cents but its how i would get started.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:44 am to tigereye58
Like the others. If you are patient with the process and have decent dirt have someone dig it for you and make some money in the process. I have made $15 per truck for the last 3 years selling dirt out of it. Win win
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:51 am to Houston Texas Tiger
The pond is for stocking fish and a view from our camp. I'm looking to add some more for us and the Hunting club members to have some more perks in the non-hunting season. I have a friend that lives at the end of our camp road and he is needing to build up some areas in his yard and we are going to truck the dirt to him. Probably less than a quarter of a mile. The area I have picked does have drainage and I believe it would make a good area. I reached out to the Parish office and once I hear back from them we'll see how it goes. Thank you for the responses.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 11:55 am to thedogman
quote:
What are the steps to starting to build a pond?
Step 1: Obtain a shovel
Step 2: Dig big arse hole
That's all I got.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 12:58 pm to Boudreaux35
quote:
Step 1: Obtain a shovel
Step 2: Dig big arse hole
That's all I got.
You missed step 3, do a rain dance/pray for rain.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 1:01 pm to thedogman
Check with Corps on your 404 permit. Vicksburg office is pretty lenient.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 1:27 pm to thedogman
A guy on YouTube builds ponds. Called “letsdig18”.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 1:47 pm to thedogman
Your first step is to contact your regional USDA-NRCS office. For Webster Parish it is located in Miden. Here is the contact info LINK
They will assess water holding capacity of soil for the site, core drill if necessary, and design the pond according to best management practices following these general guidelines, of course after consulting with you in regards to your goals and objectives. LINK
There is no cost associated with this service, it’s paid for by your federal tax $$$.
The cooperative extension service LSU Ag Center will provide general assistance on management if you plan to use it as a recreation fish pond, unless you want to hire a pond consulting firm.
They will assess water holding capacity of soil for the site, core drill if necessary, and design the pond according to best management practices following these general guidelines, of course after consulting with you in regards to your goals and objectives. LINK
There is no cost associated with this service, it’s paid for by your federal tax $$$.
The cooperative extension service LSU Ag Center will provide general assistance on management if you plan to use it as a recreation fish pond, unless you want to hire a pond consulting firm.
This post was edited on 5/26/20 at 7:19 pm
Posted on 5/26/20 at 2:58 pm to CrawDude
quote:
CrawDude
Thanks, I will go over that info and reach out to get a soil capacity test done.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 3:12 pm to thedogman
Make sure you have a way to drain off overflow in a control matter. 
Posted on 5/26/20 at 3:33 pm to thedogman
Posted on 5/26/20 at 3:39 pm to TU Rob
We need a pic of Nascars pond.
Posted on 5/26/20 at 3:46 pm to TU Rob
quote:
Paging NASCAR....
And here we go!
Posted on 5/26/20 at 3:51 pm to thedogman
quote:
What are the steps to starting to build a pond?
Clyde Tipton had a great thread on building his pond. Wonder what it looks like now?
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News