875
Hours of Work
Nov 2021
Completion Date
10 Weeks
Project Duration
2 - 4
Team Size
Stage 1: Preparation of the pond site
The pond site is first prepared by excavating and removing all recoverable topsoil, storing for reuse in the latter stages of the ponds construction.
Stage 2: Excavation of the pond
The bulk excavation of the pond complete, a smaller machine is used to finish the finer shaping and finishing work before the pond liner is installed.
Stage 3: Excavation of margin shelf
Pond construction on a significantly sloping site is achieved by excavating a margin shelf on the higher side to be retained by a feature stone-wall at water level as part of the design and the construction of a wide dam bund on the lower side, constructed from the excavated material.
Stage 4: Installing the pond liner
Sandwiching the pond liner between layers of civil grade geotextile protects it from protrusions from the pond base and allows for the pond liner to be covered with a 200mm layer of inert soil from the excavation stage, creating a natural base to the pond..
Stage 5: Margin feature stone-wall
Once the pond is full water level will sit just above the base stones of the feature stone-wall, designed to allow the pond naturally fit into the sloping landscape without the need for a steep gradient to the water on the higher margin side.
Stage 6: Installing granite boulder stepping stones
Installing reclaimed Dartmoor granite boulder stepping stones to provide access to a wooden seat within the stone wall.
Stage 7: Feature stone-work
The completed stone wall with large 1-2 tonne feature Dartmoor granite boulders either end that will sit just into the water.
Stage 8: Granite stepping stones
The Dartmoor granite boulder stepping stones will sit in the water with around 100mm of each boulder showing above water level providing access to the oak seat bench set into the stone wall.
Stage 9: Pond landscaping complete
Landscaping of the pond complete, including turfing and seeding of the bund and slopes on the lower pond edge.
Outcome & Summary: Matured feature stonework
2 years on from completion with the stonework & feature granite stepping stones have settled nicely into the water planting.
Outcome & Summary 2: The matured pond & planting
The matured pond & planting 2 years after completion – now a beautiful waterscape for people and nature, perfect for wild swimming or simply to sit by and enjoy.
