taming wild pond, newbie questions

11 years ago

I bought a property with about .2 acres of wild overgrown mucky nasty, snake invested, pond/wetland.

Six months of cutting and burning and I am just now finding the edges.

Yesterday while doing some cutting i fell in and learned the pond is at least five feet deep at one end . That was a surprise. There is a floating bog-like substance that made me think it was quite shallow but now that I know different it changes my plan. I figure with that depth it would support some decent sized fish, more turtles, etc.

Ultimately I want somethign that is fairly natural and self-sustaining. I'd like to attract more wildlife. I am hoping the removal of trees will give some waterfowl good landing access.

I really have no idea what i'm doing and I am hoping someone would offer a vision for this bare canvas.

Neighbors tell me that years ago the occupants fished from the pond and it was a great outdoor space.

Look forward to hearing form anyone, no suggestion is too radical.

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Comments (6)

sleeplessinftwayne
11 years ago
How about more info, maybe some photos? Watch out you don't take out too many trees. They hold the soil and define the edges. Your next task would be to find entry and exit points for the water. Why did a pond evolve into what sounds like a marsh? Did it get dammed up?
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Hertfordnc
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks

Here's a photo of one end of the pond (the shallow end)

http://silvabullets.com/maple2/target5.html

The entry point for the water is a very high water table. You can strike water wityh a post-hole digger around here.

I think it is becoming a marsh becasue of untamed growth.
We believe the pond was dug to connect to bay and create a crab inlet or perhaps for fill dirt on an adjacent property. It has been left alone for at least 10 year, maybe longer
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sleeplessinftwayne
11 years ago
For some reason the photo looks familiar. Have you posted before?

You may have to do some trenching to create drainage and lower the level of ground water while using the material to create raised banks. Is there a possible outlet? An ambitious project but doable unless you run into problems with the DNR or EPA.
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Hertfordnc
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, i posted six months ago but my questions were about the ponds relationship to the creatures around the property. Those questions are mostly answered, my activity seems to have scared off the snakes, the wasps can no longer get under the eaves to nest, mosquitoes are pretty tolerable. At the time i did not know how deep the pond is.

More pictures later today.

Thanks
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annedickinson
11 years ago
My suggestion would be to contact your local county extension service. They are often very helpful with this type of situation and can advise you on native fish and plants.
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garyfla_gw
11 years ago
hi
my daughter bought a property in central Kansas with similar problems . She found the county extention and Fish and wildlife very necessary due to "migratory waterfowl" so there were already regulations in place . They've given her all kinds of ideas on maintaining as well as improving the pond . think that's where i's start in your case also. might as well do it right from the start?? Sounds exciting but a lot of work!! good luck !!! gary
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taming wild pond, newbie questions

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taming wild pond, newbie questions

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sleeplessinftwayne

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