A Division of Cedar Beetle Ranch Development
"Improving Texas One Acre at a Time"
Family Owned
&
Operated
Over 75 years of experience in the lake construction industry...
Texas Lake and Pond Construction
Proper design is the first step in building a successful lake or pond. Many of our clients want to build trophy bass lakes while others are interested in constructing a pond that provides good swimming in crystal clear water.
The construction of a fishing lake or even a simple stock pond is a complex process. Each step should be mapped out in detail before the first yard of dirt is moved. This is a rough outline of our process:
Once we determine the probable location of the pond, we take engineering surveys to plan the dam, spillway, and other features. Each job must be adequately and clearly staked before construction is started. Staking transmits the information on the plan to the job site. This information locates the work and provides the lines, grade and elevations required for construction in accordance with the plan. The quality and appearance of the completed job reflects the care used in staking.
In other words, we establish what the lake or pond will be used for. This could include a number of answers such as fishing, swimming, or both. There are many farm uses as well such as livestock watering and irrigation.
During this stage we dig test holes at the proposed location to determine how viable the soil is. If the soil will hold water, great. If not, clay will need to be hauled in or another alternative sealant, such as pond liners, will be considered. This is one of the most important, if not THE most important, step. Many times an experienced contractor can immediately tell whether or not the soil will hold water. However, there are cases in which a more in-depth study is required. It is always better (and less expensive in the long run) to to be on the safe side. We will not gamble with our time or your money.
By this point we have established the purpose and location of your lake or pond, the perimeter is staked out and we are ready to move in the equipment necessary to complete the project. While we are digging your pond or lake, we add structures that will create fishing hotspots once the lake or pond had been filled. The final planning stage should be devoted to including habitat improvement structures. Fish habitat can be added later, but is much easier before the pond fills with water.
We own all of our equipment so we do NOT use subcontractors. Cutting out the middle man allows us to offer pond and lake construction services at the lowest possible cost and, most importantly, allows for a substantial increase in quality control.
During this step we work with the land owner to incorporate where they would like the lake or pond to be, with where it will look most natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Construction of Fishing Lakes and Ponds
Planning for the site selection, design, and construction of a lake or pond is vital. Unfortunately, many people fail to devote sufficient time, effort, and/or money to construction, only to pay later to address preventable mistakes. Common design and construction mistakes can result in lake, pond or dam seepage, noxious aquatic plant growth in shallow water, lack of fish habitat, water quantity issues pertaining to inadequate or surplus watershed, suspended clay or sedimentation filling from an eroded watershed, among other problems.
Lake and pond habitat can be simply defined as the environments that aquatic organisms live in and around. However, this definition encompasses a broad list of chemical, biological, and physical categories such as water depth, temperature, and oxygen content; pond-bottom substrate and contours; live floating, submerged, and emergent vegetation; dead standing or fallen timber; and artificial “cover” such as sunken concrete blocks, rocks, and “trees” or “reefs” constructed out of plastic, PVC pipe, and other structures. We use our experience and knowledge of the habitat requirements and preferences of desirable fishes to create lake and pond habitat during construction that improves angler success.
CREATING TEXAS LAKE, POND & FISH HABITAT
There are 3 types of man-made ponds and lakes:
# 1: An embankment pond or lake is made by building a embankment or dam across or around a stream or watercourse so water backs up into the stream valley. The land slope may range from gentle to steep. This is a great option for land owners who have live creeks, rivers, streams or springs on their property.
# 2: An excavated pond is made by digging a pit or dugout. Because the water capacity is obtained almost entirely by digging, excavated ponds are used where only a small supply of water is needed.
# 3: Some ponds are built in gently to moderately sloping area and the capacity is obtained both by excavating and by building a dam. We use this combination often.
In some regions, ponds and lakes can be sustained with rainfall. In other regions, where rainfall won't keep a lake or pond at the desired level other water sources can be used such as wells, live creeks, rivers or springs.
Ponds attract many kinds of wildlife. Migratory waterfowl often use ponds as resting places in their flights to and from the North. Ducks often use northern ponds as breeding places, particularly where there is an ample supply of food. Upland game birds, such as dove, use ponds as watering places. If you are looking to increase wildlife on your property, a pond or lake is an excellent solution. Water can have a dramatic effect on activities such as dove hunting.
Water adds variety to a landscape and further enhances its quality. Reflections in water attract the eye and help to create a contrast or focal point in the landscape. A pond visible from a home, patio, or entrance road increases the attractiveness of the landscape and often improves land value. Ponds in rural, suburban, and urban areas help to conserve landscape quality. We have been many water features for home owners associations.
Regardless of its purpose, a pond's appearance can be improved by using principles of landscape architecture and design techniques. Good design includes consideration of size, site visibility, relationship to the surrounding landscape and use patterns, and shoreline configuration.
The demand for water has increased tremendously in recent years, and ponds are one of the most reliable and economical sources of water. Ponds and lakes are now serving a variety of purposes, including water for livestock (commonly called stock ponds or farm ponds), irrigation, fish production, field and orchard spraying, fire protection, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation, and landscape improvement.
During Texas Lake Construction...
Determine the objective of your lake or pond...
Choose the location for your lake or pond...
Digging soil test holes...
Taking survey shots & staking the site
Equipment is moved on-site and excavation begins
Some information was taken from a publication of U.S Dept of Agriculture Handbook # 590 and from Texas Farm Ponds: Stocking, Assessment, and Management Recommendations by the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
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For example for those clients that are looking to create a trophy bass fishing pond or lake we would create a firm, gravel substrate, which is ideal for nest spawners such as largemouth bass and sunfish. A 10 x 10 foot area of gravel three to six inches thick can be added where water will be three to four feet deep during the spring. Gravel should be placed either on plastic sheeting or some other bottom barrier to avoid sinking into the bottom sediments over time. Nesting largemouth bass prefer sites near large simple structure (natural log or pressure treated lumber held in place above the bottom by concrete blocks). This provides adults with cover, especially from bird predators in clear water. However, it should be located 10 to 20 feet away from complex structure (e.g., sunken brush) that early in the season harbors small fishes that eat eggs.
We work in the Texas Hill Country and through the entire state of Texas including the following counties: Medina County, Real County, Uvalde County, Kimble County, Edwards County, Comal County, Bandera County and Kerr County.
Our lake construction services are available in and around Concan, Leakey, Mountain Home, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Utopia, Lost Maples area, Bandera, Junction, Mason, Llano, Pipe Creek, Segovia, Medina, Hunt, Center Point, Boerne, Uvalde, Sabinal, Hondo, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, Austin, Kerrville and many other areas that require pond construction services for ranch development, ranch construction and ranch improvement.
