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David G 09-28-2012 07:46:43 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	We dug some sample holes last night for the pond. It was really neat to see the virgin layers that were deposited by the glaciers. I live on wind blown clay hills. We found about 6 feet of topsoil, 3 feet of Fayette wind blown clay, 3 feet of extremely black muck 3 feet of marl then glacial till. We need to move all the dirt to get down to the glacial till for building the dam. I will end up with 100-200 loads of good black dirt left over. I am going to pile that somewhere. The pond will be about 2 acres. The muck is what they make potting soil out of now. The marl is calcium carbonate and clay mixed. I am thinking of grinding the muck with the marl and spreading it on the fields. [Reply]   [No Email]
David G 09-28-2012 12:42:54 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to David G, 09-28-2012 07:46:43   I am wanting it at least 30' in the middle. [Reply]  [No Email]
David G 09-28-2012 12:41:57 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to David G, 09-28-2012 07:46:43   The expensive, but good, part is that I have to get down 18' to get the clay for the dam. That will make a nice deep pond, but more $. I also want to get rid of the black muck and marl. [Reply]  [No Email]
BushogPapa 09-28-2012 08:11:45 173.88.51.117 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to David G, 09-28-2012 07:46:43   When ours was put in back in the late 50's, we removed any top soil (with a Dozer and Pan), then cut a "Key-Way" deeper into the Clay bottom, to build the Dam on.. Ours is about 1 1/3 ac, in a creek bed.. Cleaned it out about 15 years ago..had about 6' of silt in it..used a siphon made of plain 4" non-perforated tile to drain it (worked great).. Ended up using a Sludge Pup to suck out the wet muck as the Dozer shoved it to the pump. Then used a Back-Hoe with an "extend-a-Boom" as far straight down as it would reach to dip the solids..Dozed what we could out into the field but that is like shoving Soup.! Cut your Banks as steep as you can get away with..they will taper in time anyway.. Then, you will need to be watch-full for Muskrats..(always).. Minimum depth should be 6' or more, so Moss and Algae do not take over.. Amora algae eaters do help and are impressive in size.!! Ron.. [Reply]  [No Email]
BushogPapa 09-28-2012 10:52:45 173.88.51.117 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to BushogPapa, 09-28-2012 08:11:45   The Amoras are "Algae-Eaters" and are Certified Sterile, so they cannot reproduce..commonly put in farm ponds and Lakes.. They will get about 48" long..!probably weigh up to 30 lb and have scales as large as Silver Dollars.. It takes a lot of $$ to put enough Rip-Rap and large stone around a lake that size..Conibear traps (I prefer the Large double-spring) and a Shotgun work well.. Ron.. Ron.. [Reply]  [No Email]
glennster 09-28-2012 10:42:39 75.57.143.173 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to BushogPapa, 09-28-2012 08:11:45   heres a good article on muskrat damage prevention and tips on pond construction poke here [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 09-28-2012 08:58:17 69.10.199.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to BushogPapa, 09-28-2012 08:11:45   Interested in the algae eaters- Googled Amora, didn't come up with any fish. Could you check the spelling? [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 09-28-2012 11:17:42 69.10.199.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Pond in reply to Mike (WA), 09-28-2012 08:58:17   Never mind- I found it. Grass Carp, or White Amur, not amora- [Reply]  [No Email]