Building a pond, digging ponds, these are undertakings which can definitely be done by a property owner, but it requires special equipment and special knowledge to do it correctly, and in this article we will talk about that special equipment and special knowledge. You can do the job yourself, or you can hire it out to the pros, and the information which follows should help you to choose which path to take.
We are J & A Excavation Services, serving the good people of Fort Worth, Texas. Call us about our excavation services and we will come out, explain our approach to your job, and give you a job quote.
Now, though, let’s talk about digging ponds.
What equipment is needed for digging ponds?
Are you planning on a small garden pond, or are you looking at a livestock pond on your farm? That is the first question we need to address here.
A small garden pond can literally be dug out by hand and a sturdy shovel. Good, old-fashioned muscle power, a wheel-barrow, and determination are all that are really needed to complete the job in a satisfactory manner.
A large farm pond will require the use of a backhoe and most likely dump truck services provided by a professional excavation company. Yes, there is labor involved, but more importantly is the knowledge of how to create the pond so that it does not leak/disappear, and knowledge of soil composition.
How do you determine a small pond vs a large pond? There is no industry standard, but generally-speaking, 600 square feet or larger is, in our estimation, work for the pros.
What is the procedure?
Garden ponds will require a walk of the site, first and foremost. Determine where the high spots and low spots will be. Digging the actual hole is probably the easiest part of this job. Ledges will need to be constructed so that pond vegetation can be planted. A leak-proof pond material will then be laid out on the bottom and along the ledges to prevent leaking. Piping will be laid out, the pump installed, insuring that fresh water will constantly circulate in the pond, thus preventing too much oxidation and discoloring of the water. The final step will involve landscaping around the pond with shore plants and boulders to attain a natural look.
Large farm ponds do not involve a pond liner. Instead, they are lined with a substance like Bentonite, a natural, claylike substance which seals the pond bottom and prevents water from leaking out. The hole is dug out using a backhoe, the hole is then sealed with Bentonite or something similar, then water is introduced in a day or two once the soil has been sealed. Excess dirt is hauled away, and in a matter of a few days you have a workable, full-functional farm pond for your livestock.
Do it yourself or hire the pros?
We are hesitant to give this kind of advice; it might appear self-serving, and that is not the purpose of this article. We will simply say this: many garden ponds can be done by the property owner, depending upon the confidence level of that owner and their willingness to tackle a taxing job. Larger ponds require larger equipment and the knowledge of how to use that equipment, and it is our experience that property owners looking for a large pond are much better off paying the money for professional services.
A final word about J & A Excavation
When the job requires a pro in the Fort Worth area, J & A Excavation Services is a good place to start. From building pads to digging ponds to driveway excavation, we do the job right at a price you can afford. Call us today for a free quote. We are locally owned and operated.