Duck Impoundment

[Theo713]

Looking for some help from anyone who has built a duck impoundment/pond or flooded corn field to attract birds to their property.

I wondering mainly about water sources. We have a 40ac property that i would like to try building something like this.

Thanks,

Theo

[krat]

You have to contact your DNR to get approval for ANYTHING now-a-days.
Our pond used to be very small. We actually had a well put in. We hook-up a generator to a pump and fill the pond - works pretty good.

[skb20]

Theo --

Building a quality wildlife/waterfowl pond can be a little tricky, and almost always costs more $$$ than one might think. Point being, it is always worth doing quite a bit of planning up front. I would suggest that you first become familiar with some of the basic issues and potential problems involved. Here are a few links to info on the subject:

http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/fs17.pdf

http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/info/...nds_binder.htm

You can find alot more, searching a few of the following terms -

constructing wildlife pond
wildlife impoundment
moist soil management
constructed (constructing) wetland

Also, well worth checking with your local USDA/NRCS office for info and guidance. Missouri Dept. Wildlife may be able to help as well -- MO (University and DOW) has been a National leader in wetland construction and management

http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/wmh/13_4_6.pdf

Good luck.

[Go4Ducks2]

Here in Missouri you can get all kinds of assistance from the DNR, even get PAID to hold water for waterfowl.
Contact your local Soil Conservation District....they are there to help.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/md...y_248123_7.pdf

I do know in Michigan, if you get a backhoe out or an excavator....you have to have a DEQ permit(Dept. of Environment Quality), so you might want to start with them and find out the permit costs and qualifications.

[Theo713]

I plan on taking out a row of tress w/ an excavator and while it was on the property dig the pond.

We have worked with the DEQ before. I will make sure to contact them.

I heard some stories about work someone did on a beach front and the DEQ made them replace/remove all the work they had done b/c they didn't obtain a permit.

[Go4Ducks2]

Good luck!! Hope you take some progress pictures and keep us updated.

Should be interesting. How big a pond you plan on building?

[Theo713]

I think around acre or 2 in an L-shape.