Digging a tiny pond to attract wildlife

On 20 Jan 2004 07:26:16 -0800
(Dave) wrote:

I'm digging a small pond at a point that will collect runoff water
from a wooded area. I'm hoping to attract wildlife and perhaps a few
frogs. I'm hoping a few goldfish will control the mosquito production.
The planned size is perhaps 8 x 10 feet. I'm still trying to determine
whether a liner will be required. I would like to know the optimum
depth and contour and what plantings would be good. This is a shady
wooded area near St. Louis. Perhaps someone could point me to a small
pond FAQ? Thanks.

Hello, near neighbor! If your soil (!) is like ours a liner will be a
necessity.

Cybe R. Wizard -northern Jeff county, just south of 'The Louie'
--
Unofficial "Wizard of Odds," A.H.P.
Original PORG "Water Wizard," R.P.
"Wize(ned) Wizard," A.P.F-P-Y.
Barely Tolerated Wizard, A.J.L & A.A.L

"Cybe R. Wizard" Cybe_R_Wizard@WizardsTower wrote in message news:20040120151522.0d8f3665.Cybe_R_Wizard@Wizard sTower...
(Dave) wrote:

I'm digging a small pond at a point that will collect runoff water
from a wooded area. I'm hoping to attract wildlife and perhaps a few
frogs. I'm hoping a few goldfish will control the mosquito production.
The planned size is perhaps 8 x 10 feet. I'm still trying to determine
whether a liner will be required. I would like to know the optimum
depth and contour and what plantings would be good. This is a shady
wooded area near St. Louis. Perhaps someone could point me to a small
pond FAQ? Thanks.

Hello, near neighbor! If your soil (!) is like ours a liner will be a
necessity.

Cybe R. Wizard -northern Jeff county, just south of 'The Louie'

Hi neighbor, yeah a liner is probably a good idea. We have some sticky
clay here that would probably hold water but not as well as plastic
and I don't want to have to haul more water just for the fun of it.
Not sure what contour I should try for or what I should plant around
it.

On 21 Jan 2004 06:38:16 -0800
(Dave) wrote:

snip

Hi neighbor, yeah a liner is probably a good idea. We have some sticky
clay here that would probably hold water but not as well as plastic
and I don't want to have to haul more water just for the fun of it.
Not sure what contour I should try for or what I should plant around
it.

In your position I think I'd get an experimental piece of heavy tarp or
a discarded pool liner to use. Dig, pile, shape, trim pre-liner as you
like it. After it's just like you want, tear it all back out (leave the
hole). You now have a template to use on your 'real' liner and have
done all the nasty work without having to risk harm to the 'real' thing.
It will also help to gauge the amount of runoff you actually get. I've
been/very/ surprised at how much water runs down my little valley.

Cybe R. Wizard
--
Unofficial "Wizard of Odds," A.H.P.
Original PORG "Water Wizard," R.P.
"Wize(ned) Wizard," A.P.F-P-Y.
Barely Tolerated Wizard, A.J.L & A.A.L

"Cybe R. Wizard" Cybe_R_Wizard@WizardsTower wrote in message news:20040121084925.79fad3b5.Cybe_R_Wizard@Wizard sTower...
[...]
In your position I think I'd get an experimental piece of heavy tarp or
a discarded pool liner to use. Dig, pile, shape, trim pre-liner as you
like it. After it's just like you want, tear it all back out (leave the
hole). You now have a template to use on your 'real' liner and have
done all the nasty work without having to risk harm to the 'real' thing.
It will also help to gauge the amount of runoff you actually get. I've
been/very/ surprised at how much water runs down my little valley.

Cybe R. Wizard

The trick might be getting it dug properly and getting a liner in it
before it fills. I almost hope it does leak so that I will have more
time.