A Koi Pond is Born!
Follow Along from Conception
to Completion as The Pond Doc Builds a State-of-the-Art, Low-Maintenance Doc's
Dream System Koi Pond in His Own Back Yard.
Pond Construction Stage
Beginning Date: August 3, 2006
We are in the business of supplying information and materials to do-it-yourselfers and professionals who build and maintain ponds. We will be putting that knowledge to work and, while we're at it, testing new methods and products. Our aim is to build a true koi pond that is easy to maintain and healthy for our fish. We know it's going to take time and money to do it right and we are willing to do whatever is necessary to build the Doc's very own Dream System.
This page was last updated 09/26/2006
Click on the Thumbnails for Full-Size Pictures
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The actual digging was done last Spring s we've had a hole there as a conversation piece for a while! This was only the "rough dig". More digging will be necessary to lay the pipe and to re-shape the surrounding hill so that rain does not wash into the pond. More on that later... A pond this size could not be effectively dug by hand using picks and shovels. A backhoe was needed. It took the good part of the day to dig this hole with a backhoe -- could you imagine trying it by hand? Although using big equipment to dig is not feasible in all cases, it sure helped us this time to save time, money and effort. If you'll notice in the picture, there was no fence or outbuilding at that time. Since then, they have been added.
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| August 2, 2006 | ||
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Walls were needed to level out and form the square sides. We are purposely not installing plant shelves into the main part of the pond because our pond is strictly for koi and koi tend to tear plants up, especially our jumbo guys! Besides, we do not want to give a blue heron or raccoon assistance with catching a fish dinner. String was tied to posts and a leveler used so that the blocks could be lined up level and straight. Here the Doc is overseeing Martin and his crew as they mark the positions. One string is used to line up the bottom row and another is set to show the top level of the pond so that one can eyeball how high the water will fill to and see where the last row will be. In this picture you can see the fence that we put up for safety's sake and the outbuilding that stores our gardening tools. |
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Martin spreads cement over the top of the blocks, preparing for the next row. The cement makes the wall stronger so that it can support the pressure of the water on the sides without bowing and also it is used to help keep the blocks level. Note that the ends of the blocks are staggered. This gives the wall even more strength. | |
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This part of the process goes quickly as the blocks are laid one-by-one while attention to keeping the level is of most importance. By the end of the first day, nearly all the walls are finished by a crew of 5 very hard workers. | |
| August 3, 2006 | ||
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Before the wall can be completed a wide trench must be dug (more digging!) and the lines to the bottom drains must be laid in the section underneath the wall corner. | |
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Here, Martin adjusts the straightness of the back wall.
We noticed a slight bow but - alas - it's really too late to do much about
it. Unless you're looking for it, you can't see it.
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4 inch capping blocks are used on the top of the walls to finish the structure of the main body of water. Decorative flagstone will be laid on top of these caps. This is where the waterline of the pond will be. | |
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Our structure is now complete and ready for laying the plumbing and installing
the tier -- or so we thought...
After looking at it again, The Doc decided he wanted just a bit more height on the walls so he's having the guys place another 4" row of capping bricks. |
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| August 16, 2006 | ||
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Dirt from the cut away hill was backfilled into the trenches around the outer walls of the structure. We rented a "what-ever-it's-called" machine that packs the dirt down so later it won't settle and create an area that retains water. | |
| August 22, 2006 | ||
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The crew began laying another row of 4" cap block. This was not completed, however, on the 22nd due to an afternoon shower. It was completed on the next day. | |
| Proceed to "Installing the Plumbing" |
The Project Schedule
(click on each step for pictures & details)
Though I tried to place each step in chronological order I am finding that as we progressed I often have to go back and revise what I've already completed. The color codes are as follows: BLACK is "Not Started", GREY is "In Process", PURPLE is "Completed" and RED is "Recently Revised"
Have a question about the construction of our dream pond (or any other question for that matter)? Click HERE!
To get to each section of our project so that you can see pictures and follow along with our progress, simply click on the stage in which you are interested.
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Finishing Up |
Practical Information | |||||
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