Ponds & Water Features
Small ponds.
Done personally.
Ponds are one of the more satisfying jobs we do. You start with flat ground and a rough shape flagged in the dirt, and you end with a curve of water that looks like it belongs on the property. We do them small to medium — the kind of pond that fits on a residential or small-acreage lot, not a bass-tournament impoundment.
What we dig
- Livestock ponds. Water for cows, horses, or sheep in the back pasture.
- Decorative ponds. Backyard features, garden ponds, koi setups (the hole, not the fish).
- Natural-look ponds. Irregular shapes that look like they happened naturally.
- Small farm ponds. Back-forty water storage for irrigation or wildlife.
The honest caveats
A pond needs water. Not every site can hold one — soil type, water table, and drainage all play in. Before we dig, we'll walk the site with you and tell you straight whether a pond is going to work there, or whether you'd be digging a very expensive hole that drains every summer. If you're close to wetlands or a stream, there may be permitting involved — we'll flag it, and you'll want a conversation with the county or DEQ before we swing a bucket.
Full breakdown: pond construction in Oregon — what you can build without a permit (and what you can't).
Where We Work
Pond digging in Lebanon and across Linn County.
We dig and shape small ponds in Lebanon, Albany, Corvallis, Salem, Sweet Home, Brownsville, Jefferson, Scio, Tangent, Halsey, Harrisburg, and the rural acreage between them. See the full service area for distances.
- LebanonHome base · Linn County
- Albany~13 mi NW · Linn County
- Corvallis~25 mi W · Benton County
- Salem~30 mi N · Marion County
- Sweet Home~14 mi E · Linn County
- Brownsville~12 mi S · Linn County
- Jefferson~17 mi N · Marion County
- Scio~16 mi NE · Linn County
- Tangent~15 mi W · Linn County
- Halsey~18 mi SW · Linn County
- Harrisburg~25 mi SW · Linn County
FAQ
Common questions about pond construction.
Do I need a permit for a pond?
It depends on size, location, and water source. Small upland ponds for livestock or decorative use generally don't, but anything tied to a stream, wetland, or waterway needs Oregon Water Resources Department review. We'll tell you which bucket your project falls in.
How big a pond can you build?
With the Bobcat E50, practically up to about ½ acre surface area and ~10 ft depth. Larger and you'll want a heavier excavator and a different shop.
Will it hold water?
Depends on your soil. Heavy clay holds water naturally. Sandy or gravelly ground needs a clay seal or a liner. The site walk before quoting tells us which you have.
How long does it take to dig a pond?
A small farm pond: 2–4 days of digging plus shaping. A decorative pond with overflow detail and inlet plumbing: longer, depending on complexity.