Long Hot Summer Part 4

What would a cabin home in northern Pennsylvania be without a pond?  And what better time to get one dug than when the equipment is already on site??? If only it were that easy!

After the spring/well/septic work was complete (see Part 3), since the excavator was already on site, we figured we'd get the pond dug.  It wouldn't be big. Perhaps 60'x90'.  Big enough for a few fish and swimming.  Maybe 8' deep.  

The location is in the middle of the property north of the house and directly in front of Eliza's rest, where someday, the one room cabin will go...

But before I get too far, a couple of before shots, this one looking west...

and this one looking north...

The land is quite dry now due to the drought, but in spring, prior to our cutting in some swales, this land was wet.  There are several springs in the bottom area and four which trickle down into the area before emptying into the culvert alongside the road.

The north side of the pond will feature a picnic area with table(s) chairs and a fire pit/barbecue area.  We're also planning to put in a dock before the pond fills. (It just seems logical to do it that way.)

And so the digging began. But what before my wondering eyes should appear?  Clay. Beautiful, perfectly suited blue clay...18" or more!  The perfect base for a pond.  Folks elsewhere, apparently buy this stuff, but here it is already in place.

And that presents a bit more of an issue for the smallish Kubota excavator. So...enter the Caterpillar D3 - The weight alone will help pack this clay down tight, not to mention how much more can be moved at one time. 

(It's at times like this that one can appreciate the drought.  There is not a lot of fun in having to shift spring water run off and battling rain while trying to dig a pond, but I digress). 

The pond is dug. The clay is well-packed. The standpipe for the overflow is in place (although this pic was taken before it was connected). 

One spring line feeds directly into it.  The other two springs are less active due to the drought, but they will eventually also supply the pond. And now the task is to simply spread some grass seed and wait...

Update: As of today(08/22), the grass seed has been spread, some habitat/structure has been placed for this fall's bluegill placement, and the pond is beginning to fill.  

And to cap it all off, as a testimony to God's abundant grace, we have had almost an inch of rain in the last 24 hours (hence the muddy appearance of the water). I estimate it will be 4-6 months to fill with the coming autumn rains and the winter snow.  So by next spring (for bass stocking) , and even more significantly, next summer for swimming, it should be all set.  The dock pilings have been dug and will be formed later this week.  The patio area, picnic table(s), and barbecue/fire pit will have to wait until next year.

I just keep telling myself, "It's a work in progress. It's a work in progress. It's a work in progress..."