Getting a pond dug on your property can be an expensive undertaking, with costs quickly running into the thousands of dollars. However, there are ways to get a pond dug for free or very low cost through government grant programs and other resources. Here’s an overview of some options for getting a pond dug without breaking the bank.
Take Advantage of Government Conservation Programs
Several government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels offer programs to reimburse landowners for conservation projects like pond construction These programs are aimed at improving wildlife habitat, water quality, erosion control, and other environmental goals
Some programs to look into include:
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NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – This USDA program provides financial assistance for conservation practices like pond construction. Cost-share rates can cover up to 90% of project costs.
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State wildlife habitat incentive programs – Many states have programs to improve habitat on private lands. These sometimes include support for pond construction. Check with your state wildlife agency.
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Wetland mitigation programs – If wetlands are damaged or filled in your area, developers may be required to replace them by funding pond construction on other properties
To participate, you’ll need to fill out applications, get site visits, develop plans to meet program requirements, and follow all specifications. But the reward can be significant cost savings on a major earthmoving project.
Partner with Utilities or Government on Pond Sites
Some utility companies and local governments needs sites for stormwater retention ponds and other uses. If your property has the right characteristics, you may be able to get a free or low-cost pond constructed through one of these partnerships.
For example, a utility may need a pond for cooling water or ash settling related to a nearby power plant. A county may need a stormwater retention pond to reduce downstream flooding.
Offering up your site for these uses can get you a quality pond at little or no cost. Just be sure to understand any use limitations or other strings attached.
Use On-Site Materials and Sweat Equity
For small to mid-sized ponds, doing much of the work yourself can greatly reduce costs. With some excavation equipment rentals and lots of sweat equity, you may be able to construct a basic pond for free or very low cost.
Key steps include:
- Clear and strip topsoil from the pond area
- Use an excavator to dig out the pond basin to desired depth
- Build up dam/berms with onsite subsoil
- Compact dam well and armor with riprap or other cover
- Seed and stabilize banks
The more work you can handle yourself, the less you’ll have to pay an excavation contractor. Just be sure to get proper permits and engineering advice.
Barter Services with Contractors
If you don’t want to tackle major excavation yourself, see if you can barter services with an excavation contractor. Offer to exchange something you can provide – like hay, cattle, farm products, specialty services, etc. – in return for the pond digging work.
Contractors often have use for such goods and services around their own property. Be creative in figuring out what you can offer that provides real value to them and makes bartering attractive.
Use On-Site Materials Only
In some cases, a landowner has been able to construct a small pond relying solely on on-site soils and rock. This eliminates any costs for trucking in materials.
By selectively excavating soils from high areas and using them to build up berms, a basic pond can be sculpted at zero cost. Lining the basin with packed clay soils or bentonite can help achieve water retention.
This approach requires careful planning, permitting, and execution. But it shows that under the right conditions, a pond can be built using only on-site resources.
Recruit Volunteer Labor
If you belong to a civic organization, church, or other local group, see if you can recruit volunteers to help construct your pond. Many groups welcome community service and skills-building projects like this.
Proper technical guidance, equipment rentals, and materials will still be needed. But substituting sweat equity for paid labor can make a big dent in your pond budget.
Offer to provide meals, refreshments, and other benefits to volunteer workers to help make it an attractive and rewarding project for them to undertake.
Crowdsource Funding
If other options don’t work, consider crowdfunding part of your pond construction costs. Through sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, you can pitch your pond project and raise donations from those interested in supporting it.
Emphasize benefits like providing wildlife habitat, producing food, and environmental goals. Offer small thank-you rewards for different donation levels to attract contributors.
While crowdfunding likely won’t cover all costs, it could help raise a chunk of cash from those who’d like to be a small part of making your pond dream a reality.
Explore All Available Options
Building a new pond is a major project, but with some creativity there are ways to get it done at minimal or no direct cost to you. The key is exploring all available options – from government programs to bartering to sweat equity arrangements.
Every situation is different, but by thoroughly researching all possibilities and being flexible, you can likely find one or more opportunities to get your pond dug at little or no expense to you. The savings can make a dream pond become reality.
New Pond Planning Planning and proper construction are two of the most important parts in the process of creating a good farm pond. The first step in any construction project is detailed planning. There are many decisions a pond owner will need to make during the planning phase. The determination of the uses of the pond which may include domestic water supply, irrigation, fire protection, terrestrial wildlife habitat, livestock watering, recreation, and fish production will be very important considerations into the construction and location of the farm pond. Another important planning consideration is the type of pond to be constructed. Generally, farm ponds are grouped into four types: dugout or excavated ponds, surface or watershed ponds, spring or creek fed ponds, and off-stream storage ponds. Dugout ponds are excavated onsite and the soil obtained by excavation is used to form an embankment around the pond. The pond could be fed by surface runoff or groundwater from available aquifers. If dugout ponds are going to be used for irrigation purposes, water will have to pumped out of the pond. Surface ponds are the most common type of pond and are partially excavated where an embankment is constructed to retain water. Surface ponds are generally constructed at sites where a land depression already exists and is fed by surface runoff from it’s surrounding catchment area. Spring or creek fed ponds are those that the primary source of water supply is a creek or spring. Off-stream storage ponds are constructed by streams that have seasonal flows. Another type of farm pond is referred to as levee ponds and this type of pond is primarily used for aquaculture. Levee ponds are formed by embankments that are usually rectangular shaped, uniform depth, and are filled with water from wells, streams, or estuaries..
If animals are allowed to go straight into a pond, they could seriously damage the water quality. Too many animals using farm ponds can lead to problems like faster bank erosion, water sedimentation, and nutrient enrichment, which makes the water cloudier and speeds up the growth of algae. Limiting or eliminating access to livestock can reduce these problems. To keep animals from getting to the pond, there should be a fence at least 60 feet from the edge of the pond that surrounds the whole thing, including the grassy area around the edge and the dam area. Wildlife habitat development within the fenced buffer area around the pond can be unlimited. The planting of grass and legume mixtures along with shrubs, hedges, and evergreens can enhance wildlife habitat. However, the shoreline, dam, and spillway areas should be mowed on a regular basis. It is especially important to keep the dam free of trees. Trees growing in the dam can cause leaks and may bring in rodents that like to dig holes, which can damage the dam even more. Mowing the dam may also allow you to notice any leaks, if they develop. Annual mowing of the adjacent wildlife areas should be delayed until late August following small game nesting.
What You Need To Know Before Digging a Farm Pond
FAQ
What is the average cost to dig a pond?
What happens if you dig a pond without a permit?
Can I just dig a hole to make a pond?
Can I get a grant to build a pond?
We have a program where you can get a grant to build a pond if you let them put a fire hydrant on the pond bank. Not really a big deal if you live like we do and are 1/2 mile from the nearest neighbors. We know if they are going to use our pond to fight a fire, it will be our fire. Lowers your insurance rates too.
How to build a dug out pond?
The dug out pond is constructed by digging the soil, which is most suitable for the fish farming and construction of ponds in plain areas. It should be constructed scientifically and mathematically by using and maintaining the size, shape, depth, and other factors. Embanking ponds These embanking ponds are mostly suitable for the hilly areas.
How do I get to Fresh Pond?
To reach Fresh Pond at Hither Hills State Park, take an unpaved road off Montauk Highway, which is located just west of the overlook, right at the “T,” and then turn left across the LIRR tracks. Make the first left afterwards. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for this unimproved trailer launch, and electric motors are the only permitted motor types. Parking is available for 5 cars.
Can you build a pond if you have a fire hydrant?
Dept which always have lots of strings attached. We have a program where you can get a grant to build a pond if you let them put a fire hydrant on the pond bank. Not really a big deal if you live like we do and are 1/2 mile from the nearest neighbors. We know if they are going to use our pond to fight a fire, it will be our fire.
How much does it cost to dig a pond?
The cost to dig a pond, given a favorable site condition and a prepared space for digging, ranges from $150-680. This amount covers the labor cost for planning, material acquisition, area preparation, setup, and cleanup upon completion.