Considering building a pond but the price I was quoted was high enough that I could buy used equipment and do it myself. Icould certainly use the equipment for other projects as well. Anyone ever regret spending money to have a pond? Taking about somewhere between a quarter to half an acre. Any reason to think bigger? Any downsides besides mosquitoes that I haven't considered?
Appreciate any and all input!
Thanks

We have had a couple ponds dug in the past. The first one we had dug was nothing but a headache...I was thinking about cost more than quality. The one we have where I live now has been a pleasure to have fun with. Moral of the story, get somebody who knows what they're doing, not just a dirt slinger.

I'm also thinking of a pond one day. I'm curious as to what the price was you were quoted? I heard a guy on an Alabama conservation podcast that was saying his pond builds were 50 grand minimum, but I think the smallest he recommended was 5 or 7 acres.

1/3 of an acre 15 to 25k was the price given.

I don’t know what your intentions are for the pond but if it’s geared towards quality bass fishing I would try to get at least an acre. If you just want something to catch a few bream or catfish and supply a watering hole then you will be ok with less. I definitely would pay someone reputable to do the work. I have a neighbor that tried to go cheaper on two cattle ponds. One hasn’t held water for a full year in the past 10 years and the other had a dam failure about 2 years after he built it. He paid someone to fix it after that.

Depending on the soil you’re working with, go ahead and soil test/lime the bottom before finishing it

Damn that much for that small. I don't think I could do that. My land has alot of good clay so maybe it will work out. Finding someone that does it right is the key like said above, finding that person might be difficult. I'm in the Beat 14 part of northern Elmore county

There's a lot of variables to building a pond that will affect cost, such as on site soil conditions, damming up existing drainage/stream or digging a hole in flat ground where cut has to be hauled off, amount of clearing required for pond, etc.

As far as downsides to building a pond, IMO there are basically none as long as it is built correctly. You will have to spend some time/money maintaining it but it provides another opportunity for you to enjoy your property. And it adds to the property value if you ever decide to sell.

I find it hard to believe you can buy the equipment to build a pond for $25k. At the minimum you got to have a hoe. Really need a hoe and a dozer. And it would be good to have a hoe, dozer and a dump truck.

I suppose he just wanted to give you a range of price, but I don't see any way to make an accurate estimate without knowing the site. I could build a 100 acre lake with a very short dam, but it would back water on my neighbor's property so I can't do it.

There is a guy here on aldeer who built a decent sized pond with a 35 hp tractor and the FEL. It was one of the most impressive projects I've seen on here, and I guess his main expense was diesel fuel.

Dont give me any ideas.