My future monster pond!!!

[OSCARLOVER]

This is my plan to build a pretty large pond. Im not sure exactly how many gallons it would be. I have access to a Bobcat, so the digging wont be too bad. At least its not by hand! LOL! I was thinking how would it be possible to do as cheap as I can get away with.
I know it will have to be structurally sound, especially the back fill as the yard is on a pretty steep slope. I figured after its all dug out I can get a bunch of railroad ties and stagger them almost like linkin logs and build a frame out of these and anchor them to the ground. I would also build some concrete pillars along the back of the ties given extra support, something like 5-6 thats really thick. Fill the bottom with road pack gravel. This stuff packs like concrete when setteled. Fill sand on top of the road pack. I really want to get away with not getting a pond liner as this will cost a pretty penny!
I could use some advice on every aspect of the construcion. Especially the structural design. I really dont want to have a dam break.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

i wish i had a bobcat for my pond. i dug that baby out by hand, took me three back breaking weeks!

only thing to consider is your filtration system is not included in your plans. you should have an intake at the bottom of your pond to cycle out into the top of your waterfall, something i did with my pond. otherwise your emergency drian will be useless as it will clog up, (from the buildup without a bottom intake) if it ever needed to be used.

just my .02

 

[OSCARLOVER]

The waterfall is the halfway point. I will have a stream that goes from the front/ side of the house and snake its way down to the waterfall. I will have to install a pretty big pump and plumbing to run from the waterfall to the start of the stream. The stream will be 4'-5' wide. Do you think I will need some filteration and maybe a UV steralizer? The yard is pretty shadded where the pond would be. Pretty big trees. I also thaught about some kind of fountian in the middle to have some water movement and aeration.
3 weeks digging..... F**K that! Although I want this pond so bad that I would dig if I had to.

 

[Redtail_Watcher]

i think you should check out ebay for a pond liner because i seen a 25 x 30ft liner for 159.00dollars 33dollars shipping That is somthing i can afford but, i don't have the space for it.

 

[Redtail_Watcher]

how big and dee is it going to be? i think a pond should be atleast 2 -3feet deep because for sombody if they live in winter seasons the water will only freeze about around 1ft.

 

[OSCARLOVER]

8 feet - 10 feet deep at the most.
I didn't even think of looking on ebay for pond liners. Thats a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

another thing to consider is that you might have to use some sort of special glue to bind the pond liner since they are limited to size. this would make me nervous for a future break in the seam....

 

[dannyboy]

You coould use clay to line it, and then compact it down. Thats what they do with dams here

 

[nativelover]

go cement. just make sure the ground is packed HARD before pouring. otherwise the ground settles and CRACK...LEAK!!! dont want that.

 

[OSCARLOVER]

So your saying to use cement for the floor of the pond? What would I do around the bank of the pond to keep water in and prevent erosion from taking place?