Pond Building

[Machias]

Anyone have experience with building a small pond, say .6 of an acre sized pond?  I have a spot I would love to put in a pond, it would be just over half an acre.  I know I have to get a permit from the Idaho Fish and Game.  Any recommendations on depth?  My property is mostly clay, so I don't "think" I'll need a liner, but I could be wrong on that.  Appreciate any advice.

[pd]

It sounds like somebody sunk a deep well and he has a lot of leftover water....

 

[Machias]

 

[Angry Perch]

Have you looked into Bentonite Clay for sealing a pond? Pretty cool stuff. I may do a MUCH smaller pond soon.

[Ridgeratt]

It sounds like somebody sunk a deep well and he has a lot of leftover water....

 

Or Money!!   

[Fishmaker57]

The dimensions would depend on the use. Are you planning on having fish in the pond? If so, you should probably go at least 6' deep, and hopefully have a source for some incoming water, and an outlet. Depending on the population, you may also need to utilize an aerator, to keep a small amount of surface area open during winter. Also, when building it, push some of the dirt to the center, and create a small island. It is amazing how many creatures will use it.

[Machias]

Yep, it'll be for stocking fish from one of the authorized commercial fisheries here in Idaho.  Planning on Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass and Channel catfish.  I have to have the outlet screened.  I was thinking at least 8-10 feet deep and was planning on a small island or bump in a couple of places on the pond.

[teanawayslayer]

You’d be surprised abbot how water leaches out. I have roughly a 150’x 100’ it is the hardest ground I have ever seen I thought no way will it go dry. Well once the irrigation water turns off and I can’t fill it. Two months or so and it has a mud puddle in the bottom. The deepest spot in my pond is 9’. I would recommend lining it with Bentonite.

[NRA4LIFE]

Do you have a spot to put 15000 yards of dirt?

[Machias]

Do you have a spot to put 15000 yards of dirt?

I do. 

[Machias]

You’d be surprised abbot how water leaches out. I have roughly a 150’x 100’ it is the hardest ground I have ever seen I thought no way will it go dry. Well once the irrigation water turns off and I can’t fill it. Two months or so and it has a mud puddle in the bottom. The deepest spot in my pond is 9’. I would recommend lining it with Bentonite.

Great advice, will do!

[Alchase]

Literally every farm in Oklahoma has one or more ponds.
Almost none are lined. Clay seals well if kept wet.  It like you said you have to have an input. Spring or stream as a supply.
I am no expert, I would look to the cattle farmers.
They would have the information you need.
All the ponds near me are stocked with Bass, Crappy, Catfish, and Tolapia. Each serves a purpose.

[NRA4LIFE]

Have you thought about keeping a grass carp in there or some other creature to control the weeds somewhat?

[jrebel]

Tagging.  I have a couple spots I have thought about putting ponds and would love to follow to see what you decide.  Mine would be much smaller and primarily as a watering source for the critters in the area.   

[Alchase]

Tagging.  I have a couple spots I have thought about putting ponds and would love to follow to see what you decide.  Mine would be much smaller and primarily as a watering source for the critters in the area.   

Tilapia will keep the Alge and weeds down and lots of people think the fast great.

[idaho guy]

If it’s clay like around my place just north of you- just dig a hole it will hold water.

[Machias]

It is, lots of clay!!!

[wadu1]

As noted above if you suspect leaks use Bentonite to seal. We had a duck club in Sequim with 4 ponds, to keep them full we used Bentonite to seal them up. They held water all season, the farmer we rented from let them go dry in the summer.

[idaho guy]

It is, lots of clay!!!

 

You’re good 👍 We have ponds all over around where we live. people just dug holes years ago. I would just dig it then as mentioned add bentonite if you somehow get leaks