Anyone with a shovel and a whole lot of determination can dig a pond, right?
Although that statement is essentially true, if the goal is to dig a functioning, pleasing, well-constructed pond, that statement loses some of its glitter. To do the job correctly, to dig a pond which will be a showcase for decades, the services of a professional excavator are needed.
Let’s look at some of the considerations which must be addressed when digging a pond.
SITE ASSESSMENT AND SOIL ASSESSMENT
Digging a pond begins with an assessment of the area where the pond will be located. Which way does the property slope? What type of soil is the site composed of? Is there access to the site for heavy equipment? Where are the utilities? What are the zoning laws for such a project? What permits are needed before planning and digging begin?
These are not things known by the average homeowner or property owner so no, not just anyone with a shovel and determination can even proceed past Step One in the process.
UNDERSTANDING SOIL CONDITIONS
The different types of soil will determine certain aspects of the pond excavation.
- Clay soil: softer in the spring and fall. Clay soil in the summer is like digging through rock.
- Sandy soil: extremely easy to excavate, but extremely difficult when it comes to layering or including ledges in the pond.
- Rocky soil: obviously requires extra digging time because it is harder. It also presents problems with the underlayment; damage can occur when the underlayment rests upon a very hard surface.
- Bedrock: the absolute toughest soil type to deal with, taking the longest time for excavation and often requiring creative solutions in the designing of the pond.
STAKE THE PERIMETER OF THE POND
Once the excavator knows what they are facing, it is time to stake the perimeter of the pond and prepare for the excavation. Again, the natural slope of the land will determine, partially, the design of the pond. Land generally flows downward away from a home or other structure to provide the best drainage, just one of the many fine points a professional will be aware of before the digging begins.
THE EXCAVATION PROCESS
Filters and piping are laid during the excavation process. At this time the berm is also constructed. The berms is generally the same size as the pond, albeit higher.
Once dug, the underlayment is laid out inside the pond, and large rocks and boulders are added for provide soil security as well as pleasing aesthetics.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Can a pond be dug by anyone with a shovel and a lot of determination? Yes! Can it be dug properly so that it functions for years to come? Not likely! Yes, it costs more money to have a professional excavating company do the work, but in this instance, the old adage “you get what you pay for” is true and worth heeding.
A WORD ABOUT J & A EXCAVATING SERVICES
Jason Alldredge is the owner of J & A Excavation Company. He has been in the excavation services for 20 years.
Equipment they have for excavation and demolition projects include:
- dozer
- excavator
- skid steer
- scraper
- motor grader
- track loader
Services they offer include:
- lot clearing
- brush clearing
- ranch road construction and maintenance
- driveway excavation
- new pond construction
- pond maintenance
- house pads
- building pads
- erosion control