Pond building

This past summer our crew was hard at work on another pond construction. This was a large project to undertake, but our experienced crew was perfect for the task at hand. ​

​The early days of the job were spent clearing land of shrubs and vegetation, then we quickly moved into the earth-moving phase to make the beginning shape of the pond. An essential element of a man-made pond is a core trench. It's constructed by digging the length of the pond and establishing a solid base. To start this step in the process, our Gravel Grading and Excavating earth movers dig down through top soil, rock, sand, or any other material, until they find a good clay soil layer that water won't seep through. Our crew then packs the clay to ensure a solid base for the pond so that it will retain water.

​Next, our crew forms up and pours around an inlet drop pipe. Inlet structures are built to control the water level in the pond and keep it consistent at all times. The galvanized material we used here will provide a durable option that will keep the pond filled for years to come. After the inlet pipe is formed and installed, it's time for the outfall pipe to be placed. This pipe will take excess water out of the pond and divert it elsewhere to drain away. This phase of the process is labor-intense as it requires lots of packing of the soil to support and reinforce the man-made components. Our crew takes extra care to complete this phase so our structures can withstand future water erosion once the pond is filled. ​

​Below, our crew fills around the outlet pipe to create the base of the pond. This is a time and labor intensive process to ensure that the dirt is firmly packed to prevent water seepage and to move around the man-made structures our crew has placed.

​The final phases of this pond construction includes closing the earthen dam. With this dyke closed, it will create a barrier for the water, and soon the pond will be able to fill.

​Thanks to our hard-working crew at Gravel Grading and Excavating for all their hard work on this project! With years of experience in building water features for our clients and working in the Eastern Iowa surroundings, we've got the knowledge and the portfolio to give you what you want. Give us a call today to see how we can help you!