Help with a dig pattern.

[thecfarm]

Looking forward to part 2.

[aigheadish]

I gotta say I'm a bit jealous of that pond, Jeff. It looks like you've got beautiful water and beautiful material to hold all the water in. Mine has some clay but has leaks like crazy. I don't know if you have much water loss through the year but beware, as I was digging some of my (existing) pond I found that I would make deep spots along the edge, so as my pond dries out in the summer there are what look like craters a few feet in, where I couldn't reach the deepest spots with the hoe, to make a smooth transition from deep to shallow. Probably fixable at some point but I get puddles instead of a consistent smooth ground. I also don't know that that really matters, just a heads up.

[Jeff]

This video clip is part 2 of my work to expand our little woodland pond. Today's task was to dig some dry material to add to the wet fill in a low area. I also began to shape the Peninsula where Tammy wants me to build a screened Gazebo. That is a bit down the road I'd say. So far Justine in working well. That is my Backhoe's first name. Justine Case.

Expanding our Little Pond with a Backhoe. PART 2!! Defining the Peninsula. - YouTube

[Jeff]

And just like that already, part 3 of expanding da Yooper pond!!

Expanding our Pond. Love to dig!! Part 3. - YouTube

BEFORE PICTURE!!



 

[Cornerstone]

Man Jeff, you're making huge improvements with your property. You can proceed knowing all the hard work that goes into beautifying your property adds significant value to the land. Not only will you enjoy the place that much more, but it'll be worth more at the same time.  8) I guess that's the epitome of "sweat equity"

[Jeff]

This is way too much fun.



 

 

[aigheadish]

Did you do anything to the water to go from muck to that lovely blueish? Mine will get very clear if I can keep water in it but it's never that color!

[SwampDonkey]

The spring fed ponds around here were always clear. Some places if the water is fed by a bog  it will be as black a coffee. :D Only time I've seen blue green was when algae was in it.

[Jeff]

It is a dye packet from tractor supply that is supposed to inhibit algae growth. I got a good amount of digging done today, but Im thinking I may have to hire or rent a skid steer. 

[Walnut Beast]

Maybe check with the guy that mulched for you

[Jeff]

I was planning on it if he ever shows up here. I have an area behind the cabin I want mulched to put fill in to  store the sawmill and backhoe.

[thecfarm]

Looks like you are enjoying your land!!

[Nebraska]

I use the pond dye too, helps cut down on the yuck that grows and doesn't bother the fish.

[Jeff]

Progress continues. We have rain coming tomorrow, so my digging will have to hault when that happens. That clay is like snot when it gets wet.

Backhoe Pond expansion. Part 4 More Digging! - YouTube


 

[Chuck White]

I never could really figure out why some backhoe operators will adjust the stabilizers and the loader so that the tractor itself is completely off the ground, most around here will have the tires in contact with the ground!

It just seems to me that with the tractor completely off the ground, that it would be hard on the joints and more strain on everything!

[thecfarm]

That opening scene is nice.
I like part 4.
If I dug like that here, I would have a pile of rocks!!!
Your land looks nice.

[Jeff]

I've noted from my videos that even though the tractor has the parking brake on, the wheel that the brakes do not work on, will rotate. Im always workin on a slight slope here, so I don't want to move.

Ray, did you see the rock? I found a rock! I shall call it Ray! Twin fawns Ray!! Twin fawns! It has been a long time since I saw twins here!

[thecfarm]

I saw THE ONE ROCK.  ;D
Yes on the twin fawns too. Side by side.

[barbender]

You are more stable getting the tires off the ground, in my experience. Tires wobble and give, and the outriggers are the widest point so getting the weight on them gives the best stability. The lowest you can raise the machine to achieve that is typically best, but there's sometimes other things you may be trying to accomplish. For instance, keeping the front end low, and picking the rear way up with the outriggers will give you much more lifting height if you are trying to load a truck or something. 

[WV Sawmiller]

Jeff,

   If you get that excited by finding a rock for a real thrill you need to visit WV. :D

    I guess I can relate though as I grew up in NW Fla and all we had was sand and dirt with no rocks. Maybe some river gravel in some places.

    Can you engrave Ray's name on the rock and put it at the head of the pond somewhere?

    Looking good so far. 

[Ljohnsaw]

I found a rock! 

I dug out about a 20w x 10d x 3' high slope. I found more than one rock! All the new dirty ones.


 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Looks good.

One word of caution, I hope you have looked at the requirements for a Michigan Soil Disturbance permit, and are following the guide lines. The counties and state have started really cracking down, expecially with today's aerial photos. Neighbor expanded his pond without the proper permit and last I knew the state wants 10k bucks plus site remediation. 

[Jeff]

My hole is less than a quarter acre.

According to the deq regs, I do not meet any of the criteria requiring a permit for increasing the size of this pond. 

The pond will either connect to, or be within 500 feet of, an existing body of water such as a lake, river, or stream.

The pond will be within a regulated wetland or 100-year floodplain.

The pond's size will reach or exceed a surface area of 5 acres.

The pond's construction will require the damming of an existing stream.

[chevytaHOE5674]

As long as you are under the requirements for the soil disturbance permit your golden. Any dirt work over 1 acre puts you into that permit the local soil guy says.

Personally I don't give a rip. But I hate seeing guys get jammed up after the fact. My neighbor is a good guy that was doing just as you are, now he's getting raked over the coals.

[Jeff]

I got a fish rock! This baby is around 4ft across. A babyray rock.