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Digging out a pond
We have pumped over 100 feet. As long as you keep the outlet hose supported, it works ok. Like I said, don't be in a big hurry. It takes some time.
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Digging out a pond
bcripe, I'm not sure where you live in Montana but in many places the ground water level is right below the surface and the springs have very fast flow (such as around Bozeman). If your wetland is spring fed you may never be able to pump it down. Inflow could easily be much greater than outflow. This is the case with my ponds. If the pond is just standing water then you could pump it down.
Dave
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Digging out a pond
If you plan on cleaning out the pond with a trash pump it doesn't really matter how fast the water flows back in as long as it's not washing in more muck.
As was mentioned, as long as the ratio between solids and liquids doesn't get too far off balance and the discharge hose is fairly straight it shouldn't be much of a problem.
I wouldn't worry about the length of the discharge line either, especialy if there's a bit of fall to the pipe, the liquid in the line running downhill will actually create a suction and pull everything along pretty good.
We have run disharge pipes many hundreds of feet in cleaning out ponds on golf courses without any problems.
Best of luck.
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Digging out a pond
I do believe that this is a spring fed pond. Lots of other ponds in the area are dry now but mines still wet. I suspect that it is not possible to drain the pond. It looks like a pump may just be the best bet then. What is a good pump? How do you guys muck out golf course ponds? I dont mind if it takes a couple of weeks to do.
Thanks alot,
BC
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Digging out a pond
There is two basic ways to muck out a pond with a pump.
The first is the 'direct' pump method wherein you drag the pickup line around and sort of vacuum the bottom. This works well, especially where there is a limited amount of water, but it is slow.
We use the second method, known as the agitation method. It involves the use of a second smaller pump to create jet of water to stir up the problem areas and clean them with the suction from the big main pump. This method is very good for things like removing plant growth, or cleaning the edges. If you put up a siltation barrier around the area you are working on this can even be done in a stocked pond.
Best of luck.
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Digging out a pond
I do have a small high pressure pump 5.5hp or something like that that I run 2 irrigation sprinklers on. They work really good with a 8 foot draw from the river on the far side of property. Is that pump workable? There really isnt any need for a barrier. Will a 3in trash pump from Northern Tool do the job? Or should I get a bigger pump? Heres a portable dredge.
http://www.piranhapumps.com/portable_dredge_p135e_specs.161.html
Not sure how much it is but maybe Something like this is the answer.
Thanks again,
BC
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Digging out a pond
That is just a heavy duty 3" pump in a specialized floating frame.
A 3" trash pump will work just fine, if you want to go bigger than that, or if you don't expect to need to use it very often, you might want to look into renting one. The other pump you have is all you need for the agitation line, a 1" or bigger hose with a strong stream spray is more than enough to loosen the material and get into suspension.
If you can find, or even borrow, a small irrigation pump from a farmer in the area they work really well too, then you can justify the tractor even more.
Best of luck.
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Digging out a pond
If you have an understanding wife, you could do what a buddy of mine did. He bought an old crane at auction and picked up a drag line bucket. That way he could deepen his pond. But, you have to have an understanding wife in order to pursue that route.
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Digging out a pond
I have a used drag line bucket laying around if you are interested in purchasing one. It is in a real used condition with a number of repair welds! Its about half the size of a VW. If you wish to pursue this approach, tell me and I'll post pictures of it.
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Digging out a pond
How about dynamite charges! Weld extensions to 2" diameter wood auger bit. Float out to several positions (about 12) with generator and heavy-duty 1/2" drill motor. Drill to desired depth about 2 1/2'. Drop in 2 to 3 sticks each connect to electric fuses. Silicon around fuses. Tie leads together above water line and support with sticks beyond shoreline. Touch off simultaneously with generator about 250' away behind tree.
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09-29-2004, 07:17 
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