This project began about 6 years ago when I became aware that I wanted a pond on my property. I put the project off year after year because I did not think I could build the dam and dig the pond with the equipment I had at the time which was a 1950 Ford 8N tractor and a 30" dirt scoop. It became apparent that this was what I would have to use if I were to have a pond. So construction began in July of 2003.
July 22, 2003 - Looking west across future pond site with trees on the right which will be removed.
August 07, 2003 - Trees have been removed from the pond site. Spring fed creek runs South to North at bottom of valley. Mostly hidden by grass in photo.
August 08, 2003 - Dam construction with the wonderful Ford 8N begins.
August 08, 2003 - Bad photo but a very HARD WORKING Ford 8N tractor.
August 08, 2003 - Leaving the construction site after a very hard day by the 8N. Smoke at site is from a dead wood pile burning out and NOT from the 8N. She doesn't smoke------much.
August 12, 2003 - Temporary shut down due to extreme OPERATOR error. Friendly neighbor pulled me out with his 4WD "REALLY BIG" tractor. Probably could have done it with my garden tractor but I needed a helping hand anyway. Fortunately no one was injured.
August 21, 2003 - Digging and Piling continues.
August 21, 2003 - ONE month of construction and a small dent has been made. This project is going to take many days to complete but it has been fun so far.
September 04, 2003 - Making progress slowly but surely. View is from East side of valley.
September 04, 2003 - Good view to the north of dam taking shape across the valley.
September 12, 2003 - Rained out today. First rain in several months.
September 12, 2003 - Rained out today. View of project from the west side of Valley.
September 23, 2003 - Two Months into project. View from east side. Future island beginning to take shape in center of photo.
September 23, 2003 - Two Months into project. View of dam with island on the left. Dam is 175 feet long and 13 feet high at center on pond side. About 25-30 foot drop off on back side into gully.
October 02, 2003 - First 5 feet of vertical drain pipe installed. Spring water is beginning to collect around pipe. View is from top of dam.
October 02, 2003 - Distant view of first 5 feet of vertical drain pipe. At least 3 more feet will be installed for 8 foot maximum pond depth.
October 12, 2003 - Rained about 1/4 inch last night. Photo shows about 1 foot of water collected in pond.
October 12, 2003 - Rained about 1/4 inch last night. Photo shows about 1 foot of water collected in pond. Dark pond bottom is Brainard Shale which is black when wet.
October 20, 2003 - Rained another 1/3 inch several nights ago. Photo shows about 18" of water collected in pond. Come on rain!!
November 04, 2003 - Rained another 2 plus inches. Pond is now about 3 feet deep at drain pipe. Construction has been discontinued as ground is now frozen. More digging and piling will be resumed next spring.
February 20, 2004 - Snow cover shows good outline of S-shaped dam. The detour was made to avoid filling a much larger and deeper area to the left of the "bend". Poor pre- construction planning on my part.
March 29, 2004 - After ice melted and a good four inch Spring rain the pond is full to the brim (max. 12 feet deep). Pond filled up because drain became plugged with grass etc. over the winter. Drain has now been cleared and the pond drained back to about 5 feet deep in preparation to do some more digging.
March 29, 2004 - Walked out to the pond about noon after seeing a flock of Canada geese flying over the pond this morning. Use your imagination and you will see a pair that stuck around just to the left of the island. I have to admit I felt a little pride!
March 29, 2004 - When the geese saw me they swam to the left shore and then took off across the island honking like mad. You can see the water ripples where their feet dragged during takeoff. Cheap camera captured a few pixels that look somewhat like a goose on the right.
May 07, 2004 - Back to digging behind the island. Much wetter this Spring than last Summer. May have to wait awhile to resume digging. Too wet to plow also means it is too wet to dig.
May 08, 2004 - Have begun digging again behind the island. Still a little wet and got stuck yesterday. Yes, my neighbor had to help me out once again. I had the little 8N stuck up to the rear axle in mud the consistency of chocolate pudding.
May 24, 2004 - A 5+ inch rainfall in 4 hours after ground already soaked was too much for the dam. About 2 feet of water remains in pond. More rain is forcast for tonight.
May 24, 2004 - I obviously under engineered the spillway. This is called learning by experience.
May 24, 2004 - This is what pond looked like just after the 5+ inch rain fall.
2002 Infrared Aerial Photo of acreage with "artists" conception of pond. Acreage is outlined in red. Note: Tilly's Pond to the southwest and Gary's Pond to the northeast.
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