I want to build a 25 acre tank on my ranch in Central Texas. The engineering thus far calls for 28,000 cubic yards of fill material to be sourced adjacent to the dam. I have been quoted $2 per cubic yard to build the dam by a reputable company. Does this sound like a reasonable quote?

Thanks,

Ed

I don't know squat about this, but I wonder:

Can you use the fill you take to excavate the pond and help use it for the dam?

Also, someone on this forum was talking about getting a stock pond built almost free. They had an oil company or something that wanted the fill?

Anyone recall that?

Dozer contractors in my area charge about
$1.00/cu yard of fill for embankment ponds.
However, if you're talking about an escavated
pond (without a dam) where track hoes and trucks
are needed, the costs can easily double. Also,
its been a while since I've dealt with the
dirt operators, and diesel prices has increased considerably. Also, you must consider the cost
of your overflow and pipe system. This can add
a significant amount to the total costs.
By the way, insist on the dam being keyed or
core trenched when built. If it's not, it will
surely seep. This will add to your cost also.

Dudly, The dam will be built across a choke in a canyon with a water depth of 32'. It is a pretty significant undertaking. They are going to core trench the dam. For equipment, they will use 2 Cat D10s and 2 huge scrapers (I do not know the model), and a grader. The spillway will be over limestone and will spill into another creek system to prevent erosion of the dam.

Has NRCS looked at your project ? They are able
to give you some meaningful input and even
shoot the elevations and lay out the dam.

And when you get this sucker built - I need to "survey" it in my kayak!

Coach, I think a kayak will be the perfect boat due to all the standing timber we will leave! It will probably require 50lb Power Pro to pull fish through the branches.....

Dudly, We hired a retired soil conservation engineer to shoot the elevations, engineer the dam, and perform the soil and drainage analysis.

The folks building the dam are well known in the area for building the best tanks. They have been working on smaller projects on the ranch for the last two weeks. Thier work has been excellent thus far. I just wanted to test whether thier $2 per cubic yard quote seemed reasonable.

Thanks for the help!

eabrooke,

If you can get a 25 acre lake for $60k, I'd say that is a good deal. Proportionally (price per acre of water), I've spent much more on smaller projects.

If you are interested in some terrific discussion on stocking and management techniques, you should jump over to the Pond Boss Forum. Of particular interest at this stage for you would be building in structure during your construction project. Many lessons learned that could benefit you.

HMMMM...25 acre tank on your ranch in Texas...do you need a girlfriend? My qualifications... love to fish, love the outdoors, love animals.