Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 12:59:10 PM

Title: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 12:59:10 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: pd on April 01, 2022, 01:32:24 PM: It sounds like somebody sunk a deep well and he has a lot of leftover water....

:chuckle:
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 01:35:20 PM: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Angry Perch on April 01, 2022, 01:35:56 PM: Have you looked into Bentonite Clay for sealing a pond? Pretty cool stuff. I may do a MUCH smaller pond soon.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Ridgeratt on April 01, 2022, 01:39:13 PM: Quote from: pd on April 01, 2022, 01:32:24 PM
It sounds like somebody sunk a deep well and he has a lot of leftover water....

:chuckle:

Or Money!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Fishmaker57 on April 01, 2022, 01:41:20 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 02:07:24 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: teanawayslayer on April 01, 2022, 02:25:03 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: NRA4LIFE on April 01, 2022, 02:26:09 PM: Do you have a spot to put 15000 yards of dirt?
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 02:49:39 PM: Quote from: NRA4LIFE on April 01, 2022, 02:26:09 PM
Do you have a spot to put 15000 yards of dirt?

I do. :)
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 02:50:02 PM: Quote from: teanawayslayer on April 01, 2022, 02:25:03 PM
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!
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Alchase on April 01, 2022, 03:00:46 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: NRA4LIFE on April 01, 2022, 03:42:06 PM: Have you thought about keeping a grass carp in there or some other creature to control the weeds somewhat?
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: jrebel on April 01, 2022, 03:43:59 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Alchase on April 01, 2022, 04:44:21 PM: Quote from: jrebel on April 01, 2022, 03:43:59 PM
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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: idaho guy on April 01, 2022, 05:44:06 PM: If it’s clay like around my place just north of you- just dig a hole it will hold water.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2022, 06:29:03 PM: It is, lots of clay!!!
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: wadu1 on April 01, 2022, 06:40:18 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Pond Building
Post by: idaho guy on April 01, 2022, 08:20:32 PM: Quote from: Machias on April 01, 2022, 06:29:03 PM
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