Every Journey Starts With a Single Step...
Step 5 -Excavating Your Pond

• Although it's simple, digging the pond is the most time consuming step. A typical 11' x 16' pond takes 15 man-hours to dig. So with a crew of five, you're looking at three full hours of digging. The easiest way to dig the pond is to dig the entire pond area to the depth of one shovel 8" - 10".
• After the first level is dug, spray out the second shelf and dig that level one shovel depth down. At this point you will need to figure out what the water level of the pond will be.

Determining the Water Level

• The easiest way to determine the water level is to use a surveyor's level or sight transit.

1.      Figure out where the pond's main viewing area will be and determine the level.

2.      Once the viewing area level is determined, base the water level at 2 to 3 inches below that. (Remember, when using a transit or sight level, the higher the reading, the lower the level)

3.      Check the level of the area directly opposite of the viewing area, as well as to the left and right side. These areas should be the same level as the viewing area. If any area is low you can use some soil to build up these edges so they are above the water level by 2 to 3 inches.

• After you have determined what the water level will be, check what the level of the first two shelves have been dug out to.
• Your first shelf should be up to eight inches below the water level.
• The second shelf should be no deeper than sixteen to eighteen inches deep. Adjust these shelves if necessary. Lay out the third shelf and dig this down to the maximum depth, usually 24".

Skimmer Excavation

• Rough in a hole 24" wide by 20" from front to back, and 21" below the water level for the skimmer. The Grande Skimmer requires a 44" wide by 24" front to back by 26" deep hole.

Lily Pockets

• On your second shelf dig out small shallow bowl-like areas for the water lilies.
• These pockets are simply depressions or bowls cut in to the soil 6" - 8" deep and 10" - 16" in diameter. The goal is to create a natural looking pond and this is possible only if plant pots are eliminated or com­pletely hidden.