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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Building First pond - muddy water removal

15 years ago

Hey all.

I just started digging my pond a week or so ago. I'm doing all of the work myself when I can find the free time between work and my other responsibilities.

My project is a bit ambitious; it's a bean shaped hole approximately 14' at it's widest point and 9' at it's smallest. Right now I have about a 1' hole all the way around and I have started to dig out the middle (an additional 18-20" below the 1' ledge).

It rained pretty heavily here the other day and I woke up to find that muddy water had completely filled the deep part of my hole. Not knowing what else to do, I just grabbed a bucked and began removing it, but it took way too long.

Is there some cheap solution I can use to prevent the water from filling the hole in the interim? I'm not sure when I'm going to be done digging due to weather concerns and my schedule. I don't want to have to waste my time removing water constantly.

Thanks!

-Evan

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Comments (6)

mybusyfamily6
15 years ago
Do you have a pump yet? If you do put it in the hole with the hose out and turn it on and drain it quickly that way.
ernie_m
15 years ago
As this is muddy water you may want to get a cheap sump pump or something semi-disposable or at least repairable in case you pick up a lot of dirt or small pebbles.

Lining the pond as you go with a cheap tarp may keep the water cleaner and the bottom dirt drier.

How about a tent? Carport-sized tents are 10 by 20 feet and may cover it all over. ThatÂs an easy answer for me as we have two, one up (and decorated thanks to my wife) and one we just use for parties, think they were in the $150 range. Check Pep Boys, Costco, ect.
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ccoombs1
15 years ago
Some of the water may be due to run-off. What about building a small berm around the work area? That should keep a lot of it out. If the pond is in a low lying area, you may want the low berm permanently to keep run off out of the pond after it's done.
buyorsell888
15 years ago
DH uses a cheap sump pump and/or the shop vac and I've used towels to really clean out the last bit of mud before filling for the first time.
goodkarma_
15 years ago
Memories of pond building......and rain and mud.....sigh.

The pumps as other members recommended are good. Dig a hole inside the pond you have dug and the water will migrate there. Pump that out while the rest of the pond form dries out. Use a high head pump if you can get one.

Tarps can help if you can get one big enough.

Regards,
Lisa
billinpa
15 years ago
I layed a few 2x4 across the hole and covered it with whatever I could find(old pcs of plywood, kids toys, ect.) then just threw an old tarp over it.

Then again i was digging in hard pack clay in the summer. Wet made it soft and much easier to dig. I only covered it when they were calling for heavy rain. Then covered it after to keep the moisture in.

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