How much of a pain is it to dig a BIG (5 acre +) pond?

Question

I am trying to figure out if a 5 acre pond is feasible on a 20+ acre site. Assuming the land is suitable to hold water, and not too tree-filled. I wouldnt want anything to do with damming a creek or river, just a pond in the middle of the parcel (for fishing/swimming) The spoils could be kept on site, but the digging would all be contracted out. just wondered if anyone has any experience with this. Was the cost beyond what you expected? has the pond "mucked" up. how important is the groundwater table vs runoff. Looking for property in northern michigan, but dont have it yet. Just wondered what kind of property characteristics are best for the pond. Any help would be much appreciated

Answer 1

Get hold of your local university extension office( in Michigan, the University of Mich., there should be a local branch) and talk to them. They usually have all kinds of information about building farm ponds, which is basically what you are talking about. But five acres is not a pond, honey, it's a lake. MIchigan has so many lakes already, just buy some property that already has one! (Born and raised in Michigan).

Answer 2

It will be a big issue getting permits for this. Also with water in and out it will become a large unusable mess. I have a pond on my place that is formed by runoff from the surrounding area. The ducks love it but it is not usable for swimming etc. It gets a lot of weeds and lilly pads in it.

Answer 3

what is your thinking as far as damming a small stream and putting in a spill way I do not know about your area but depending on weather for rain to fill a pond that size would be asking a lot i would check with the army core of engineers and also check with the dept. of inter for your state you may be able to get some help due to the wild life enhancement of the property also stocking of fish.just a idea or two.

Answer 4

I don't know about cost for moving all that dirt, but you will want some sort of water circulation or you're just going to have a huge mosquito nest. So you'll need a pump and a well and probably a large storage tank. Also you'll want some sort of barrier at the water edge(rip rap or bring in loads of sand every year), otherwise it will erode the banks eventually making your pond juts a big low spot.

Answer 5

ok listen.You can also maek money out of this.Instead of water table and stuff
Construct one with a cement base.And breed fish as a business.

Answer 6

a BIG pain, no matter how you dig it. It really cant be simple