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sp_Feed F-Construction-and-DIY
Going to try and post pics
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K
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16 Apr ’14 - 7:21 am
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very nice, now the foundation makes sense, when you said 2 feet of cement I was thinking perimeter footing not piers, do those have termite shields built into them? Are termites a issue in your area?

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groinkick
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16 Apr ’14 - 12:47 pm
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How do you plan on sealing the pond?  I would love to put a small on on my property.

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eddienlinda
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16 Apr ’14 - 10:29 pm
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KVR termites can be an issue, but plan on befriending the ORKIN MAN beforehand :) Groinkick there is plenty of good clay after the first 4ft or so. It will have a great clay lining.
Pond half done 012
Off to great start
Pond half done 028
Wife is loving it too.
Pond half done 031
Will be 200ft across all around from flag to flag, and 10ft in center.

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earthenstead
Central Arkansas
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16 Apr ’14 - 11:23 pm
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I envy you your pond, your clay content, and that your project is humming along, while I am still getting things lined up for my own property.

Would you be willing to share your story of how you selected your "bulldozer guy", what sort of selection process and criteria, how you found him, contract bullet points, and how much he is charging?

I am especially interested in details concerning the pond excavation and costs of the dirt work for the pond as I am wanting a pond about half that size. (Ideally about 90' x 120' x 12') Expense is my major obstacle, so hearing about yours may help.

That is all stuff I am getting ready to go through myself. (Update pending on my own thread...)

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eddienlinda
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17 Apr ’14 - 8:50 am
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Earthenstead we talk to lots of locals, and they tell stories about good and bad experiences with hired workers. This gentleman is a 3rd generation operator, and is taking over the family business. Look not only for experience, but also good things that the locals have to say about the operator. Ask if you can see his past work and pond builds. I looked at 3 ponds that he built, and how and where he put the water sheds etc... He is doing this one for $2000 and that included removing all brush, and trees first. I have video footage but dont know if I can post it here or not, but will try. Good fortune on your venture, and it will all come together for you soon. What will you use the pond for if I may ask? Oh and you want someone that will take the time to really walk your property and have knowledge on how the water is really slowing through your place. They will put a pond anywhere you want one, but is that the BEST place for it to go dependent upon staying full of water from natural water flow paterns of your land. Ours isn't where we thought it should go after he showed us HOW to look for the right spot. He cared enough to do that for us, and cares enough about his reputation to do the right thing. Hope this helps.

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eddienlinda
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17 Apr ’14 - 8:55 am
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Big boy pushing dirt

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K
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17 Apr ’14 - 9:20 am
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2000? That's a great price

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earthenstead
Central Arkansas
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17 Apr ’14 - 12:36 pm
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2000 is beyond great. Particularly for a pond that large.

 

I will need to try doing a better job talking to locals. Not sure how to find people that would have had recent work. Perhaps local farm supplies is the only thing I can think of.

 

I doubt I will have the clay that you have. I refuse to use a liner, so I might need to truck it in. If so, I might just have a giant hole that holds no water till I can eventually afford to truck in enough clay.

 

I have walked my own property quite a bit. I have also spent countless hours examining the contours and slopes of the land in Google Earth. Water will run southeast from the wilderness property along my north border. I plan to place the pond on the northeast side of my property, my buildings will be just a tad above to the west. Water should flow right into the pond and overflow can drain into the valley's runoff stream.

 

The primary purpose of my pond will be fire control. My property is heavily wooded and surrounded by woods. The pond was a maybe till I talked to my local fire department who suggested it for fire control. They warned me that they have been out to my area to fight fires before when things get dry. Likely people ignoring burn bans or some other idiotic causes. I do not have any reliable water source should a fire break out. No city water, no well, etc. Even if I had a well, it would be a fissure well, not an aquifer well. That means it would be tapping a finite and limited store of water. That is just the geology of where my property is.

 

Hence, the local fire department suggested a pond of at least 40,000 to 60,000 gallons so they could drop hoses into it as their water source. Ideally I am wanting the pond to hold much more water than that. Closer to 600,000 gallons, or 10 times their recommendation.

 

While the main reason for the pond is fire control, I want it to be multi-purpose. It will cool the area around it in summer, attract wildlife, enhance the property and raise the property value, it will help infuse ground water into my property year round (I plan to include a ground tap with shutoff valve for this purpose.), it will be reserve water supply since my only source is rainwater harvest, it will be stocked with fish for food and recreation, it will offer swimming in the summer, and an ice rink in the winter. As time goes on, I may think of other benefits.

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