My Pond

Background:

Since a young age, I had always wanted a pond in our yard, but it was always talk amongst my mother and I. In December of 1995, my mother was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a lung disease). I did research on the internet and found out that the average life span after prognosis was 6 years (The doctor now has said that she can probably live a normal life with the proper medication). That scared me do death, so I decided now is the time for the pond we have always dreamed about. 

I planned on starting the project in the beginning of June 1996 when school was out. However, my sister's boyfriend got wind of our project and decided he was going to start the project early. So instead of studying for finals, we both got out and dug a pit. Excavation was the worst part of pond building. We have well cemented conglomerate soil with boulders.  Every inch was a tedious and grueling obstacle using a breaker bar and pick to work the boulders out of the soil.  The next step was to purchase the pond liner. I worked at a pet store at the time and was able to purchase everything at wholesale cost except for the pump. I installed the bottom drain, the underliner, and liner. I also installed a  makeshift surface skimmer made out of an inlet screen from one of those blue (Brady?) check valves.  I then used the vast amount of rocks left over from the excavation and created the border around the pond. Shortly after, I filled the pit and WAH LA!! I had my fish pond. 

Plants: