My wife and I have been planning some changes to the homestead here and I was outside today looking at things and pondering the possibilities. Our first priority is opening up another couple of acres for the horse pasture. I have a drainage on my property which has a small amount of running water through it most of the year. There are some old field tiles that dump into it and I'd say there's probably about 35-40 acres that drain into it, 80% of that an ag field.
Looking at the elevation changes it looks like a dam could be built which could result in a small pond (1/4 - 1/3 acre maybe). I'd love to have a pond for several reasons but I know I won't be filling the freezer from a pond that small. It would be nice for the horses to have access to water aside from the water trough and we enjoy having wildlife around.
Where would I start asking questions to determine if this is something I could do? I assume there is some sort of permit required and it seems like I've heard about soil tests, etc. I have no idea where to begin asking questions. I've spoken to a friend and I think I can get all of the busted up concrete and fill dirt I was for no charge and he's got an excavator guy he works with so that end seems like it wouldn't be too difficult. I just need to make sure I'm not breaking any rules.
Looking at the elevation changes it looks like a dam could be built which could result in a small pond (1/4 - 1/3 acre maybe). I'd love to have a pond for several reasons but I know I won't be filling the freezer from a pond that small. It would be nice for the horses to have access to water aside from the water trough and we enjoy having wildlife around.
Where would I start asking questions to determine if this is something I could do? I assume there is some sort of permit required and it seems like I've heard about soil tests, etc. I have no idea where to begin asking questions. I've spoken to a friend and I think I can get all of the busted up concrete and fill dirt I was for no charge and he's got an excavator guy he works with so that end seems like it wouldn't be too difficult. I just need to make sure I'm not breaking any rules.