2/3 Acre Pond

[Laramie]

Sand Pits (in Nebraska) are directly related to the water table and similarily the Platte, Loup etc...

When irrigation season rolls around the water table can get drawn-down considerably...on some of the isolated bodies of water with no flow coming in or no direct ground water influence, evaporation and evapotranspiration can reduce water levels also.

That's why a spring or creek is nearly essential to have on these fairly small isolated watershed dams being constructed...if there is zero water source even run-off, it doesn't matter how deep the pond is it won't be suitable for fish habitat.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Laramie

Sand Pits (in Nebraska) are directly related to the water table and similarily the Platte, Loup etc...

When irrigation season rolls around the water table can get drawn-down considerably...on some of the isolated bodies of water with no flow coming in or no direct ground water influence, evaporation and evapotranspiration can reduce water levels also.

That's why a spring or creek is nearly essential to have on these fairly small isolated watershed dams being constructed...if there is zero water source even run-off, it doesn't matter how deep the pond is it won't be suitable for fish habitat.

I'm not familiar with irrigation systems. We've never done it and don't expect to. Why does this draw down the water table?

This picture is an old one, but it shows the creek that flows through the property and the pond site. The red circle furthest south is the one we decided on after considering the other 2.



However, as you can see in this diagram, the creek is at a much lower elevation than the pond. Nice for preventing a creek flood into the pond. Bad for even considering using the creek to get water into the pond.

[Laramie]

Ahhh I see...couldn't see pictures before. Looks like you are right up to a creek...doubt you'll find a ton of glacial till there...probably a Colo or a Kennebeck soil type. 10 ft contour layers...so you're on a terrace of the creek-bed/valley. Looks like your watershed is pretty big. Is this a Dam with a tube, or a dug-out? Just looks like you might be plugging the little "cut" into the creek. Id bet there's some springs by the looks of it. That soil type is probably a silty clay, moderately well-drained, water holding capacity for a Kennebeck or Colo soil isn't that great when compared to clay, but you might hit some better stuff the deeper you go.
Good luck to you! Look forward to seeing the progress...

Hope it goes well for you and that your pond turns into a good little fishery.


An after thought, in Sarpy Co. that is most typically a Judson-Nodaway complex (not a Kennebeck or Colo)...Silty Clay loam with a high water holding capacity (both soil types). Depth to a restrictive layer or (clay) is greater than 60". Percolation rate around a 1/4" to 1/2" an hour. Depth to ground water probably in the 70-80" range. Looks like a lot of farmground around it...thought of planting a filter strip around it? I like these kind of projects if you can't tell!

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Laramie

Ahhh I see...couldn't see pictures before. Looks like you are right up to a creek...doubt you'll find a ton of glacial till there...probably a Colo or a Kennebeck soil type. 10 ft contour layers...so you're on a terrace of the creek-bed/valley. Looks like your watershed is pretty big. Is this a Dam with a tube, or a dug-out? Just looks like you might be plugging the little "cut" into the creek. Id bet there's some springs by the looks of it. That soil type is probably a silty clay, moderately well-drained, water holding capacity for a Kennebeck or Colo soil isn't that great when compared to clay, but you might hit some better stuff the deeper you go.

I think I need an interpreter. Haha. I think the watershed is plenty big, especially considering the nice hill to the east and the smallish size of the pond. It's a dug out and I don't think I know what you mean by "plugging the cut of the creek". I certainly hope to hit some good clay. There is very good clay around the creek banks and bottoms, but as you can see from the diagram, the elevation is pretty different. But this shouldn't be a problem either way as we have a source of good (free) clay just up the road. And it's stuff that's proven successful in hold pond water.

Originally Posted by Laramie

An after thought, in Sarpy Co. that is most typically a Judson-Nodaway complex (not a Kennebeck or Colo)...Silty Clay loam with a high water holding capacity (both soil types). Depth to a restrictive layer or (clay) is greater than 60". Percolation rate around a 1/4" to 1/2" an hour. Depth to ground water probably in the 70-80" range. Looks like a lot of farmground around it...thought of planting a filter strip around it? I like these kind of projects if you can't tell!

There will be an adequate filter strip between the cropland and the pond. Planning on starting with a rye, then letting natural foliage to take over, as long as it's thick and low. And it's my dad's property and I'm going to try to convince him to make the surrounding fields into alfalfa instead of the rotating bean and corn.

[Omaha]

Some progress pictures from today...

[Omaha]

[Chen rossii]

One thing to keep in mind as far as your watershed goes is the quality of the water. If you are taking water from a water shed that has little vegetative matter on it you will most likely be getting very dirty water. Once these sediments end up in your pond they will take a long time to settle out thus reducing visibility in your pond. Depending if you are in an appropriated area or not it may be best to drill a well and fill the pond manually.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Chen rossii

One thing to keep in mind as far as your watershed goes is the quality of the water. If you are taking water from a water shed that has little vegetative matter on it you will most likely be getting very dirty water. Once these sediments end up in your pond they will take a long time to settle out thus reducing visibility in your pond. Depending if you are in an appropriated area or not it may be best to drill a well and fill the pond manually.

I will be planting vegetation surrounding the pond that will be wide and thick enough to hopefully filter out most sediment that would otherwise be washing into the pond. There is cropfields surrounding the pond on 1 2/3 sides of the pond and I will be trying to convince my father (who farms it) to plant alfalfa in this field instead of the usual soybean/corn rotation.

[Omaha]

Had an experienced pondmeister come out and discuss things with me today and it was very cool. Some good news on our progress and the near future plans, but what I'm excited about is making this new friendship. Basically, he's a world renowned bluegill expert, has a gene strand named after him and I've been promised as many of these bluegill as I want when I'm ready to stock. Awesome. These fish can get to 2-3 pounds. He told me to get used the taste of big bluegill.

Anyway, here's a single picture of it's current condition. We'll be out there tomorrow again to get more done. Working on the perimeter still and I'm being told it's all downhill once that's complete. Can't wait.



Good news on the water supply too. Looks like we can purchase or rent a pump and simply take from the creek and it could be full within 2 weeks. Down the road, of course, but I'm an optimist.

[Omaha]

Ok, a handful of pics from the recent progress. The perimeter is really coming together and I can't wait to get the basin going.

Hard to see from this distance, but that is an enormous cottonwood in the middle of the picture. The shore went right up on it, so I had my dirt guy build up the banks around it. Hope it survives.



The larger grassy area is where the planned camp jetty will be.



I like this picture. Gives a nice perspective of the jetty and the size of the pond, with the kid running towards me.











Hard to tell by this picture, but this is a large deer print in the soft clay we've uncovered. The deer are loving this open area we've created "for them".





This is the proposed beach area off the camp jetty. I hope it's wide enough to make it deep enough to jump off a dock into.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by live2fish

Ok, so

It'll flatten out at about 8 feet with a couple drop offs here and there to depths of 12-15 feet. Just for fun. Currently trying to figure out what to do with the swimming area. What side of the camp jetty to put it and how big to make it.

[live2fish]

Wow, you were right on top of responding to that one. I deleted the post when I went back and saw the question I was asking was answered in the second sentence of the first post. Thanks again though for the info.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by live2fish

Wow, you were right on top of responding to that one. I deleted the post when I went back and saw the question I was asking was answered in the second sentence of the first post. Thanks again though for the info.

Haha, 'instant email notification'.

And being online most of the day trying to figure out what to do with this damn swimming hole has kept me ready to respond to anything regarding my little BOW.

[Omaha]

I currently have 11 pvc trees and 3 pond 'spiders' for my 3/4 acre pond. How much is too much?

[Omaha]

Quick update. 40 truckloads of dirt moved over the weekend. I'll get some pictures up this coming weekend.

[holdemplyer]

Originally Posted by Omaha

Quick update. 40 truckloads of dirt moved over the weekend. I'll get some pictures up this coming weekend.

ohhh, looking forward to that.

This pond project is way more interesting than that other one that never get's updated.... Teeg, Chad, I'm looking your way.....

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by holdemplyer

ohhh, looking forward to that.

So am I, haha. I haven't been out there for a couple weeks now. With my job, it's dark when I get in and dark when I get off this time of year so it sucks that I can't head out there and check it out after work. I could, I just wouldn't be able to see anything. Weekend though and I'll post some pictures. I'm told it's a nice looking 6 feet deep bowl right now. And he's out there working as I type this too.

[Omaha]

Pond update photos.

[Omaha]

Panoramic view.