this is a bit - how long is a piece of string, but

does anyone know any rough costs for digging a 1 acre lake

(1) planning costs

(2) hire of plant and driver

(3) removal or additional costs of spreading firt from the ground

(4) water consents or others

(5) cost per ton for linings (puddle clay etc ?)

I have been given a figure which I believe is far too high, and question the accuracy and age of the quote . . so anything that can be learnt would be of great help - also how long would it take to dig a one acre lake 6 foot deep to 4 feet ?

anyone any experience or had one recently dug ??

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i have seen one dug and believe it or not you get 3 times the amount of earth than the size of the hole an awfull lot of lorries taking it away

No idea mate but I suspect it is an expensive job. I'm no expert but there is more to building a fishery than digging a hole and lining it.

Obviously it's been done many times over, it would be interesting to hear from someone who has experience in it.

Chesters1, have you never seen "The Great Escape?" It's simple, you just put cloth sacks inside your trousers and walk around a vegetable patch walking the surplus soil in.

Yes and they did it in less than 50 minuets

Pricing guides are published for constuction work, minor & Major, try Laxtons or Spons.
If you know anyone in the contruction industry they should have these.
They are a bit steep to buy £85-£120 but will provide all the costs you need.

A firm I asked about digging a pond, reckoned their biggest slew would shift about 700 cubic yards a day.
The number of dump trucks needed, depends on how far the spoil has to be hauled. You will want enough to keep the digger working.
The bulking of the material depends on what it is. You can reckon on clay at least doubling in volume between being dug and placed in a lorry body. Gravel would be less, especially if it is wet.

The cost of planning depends on whether you have a 'good working relationship' with the people in the local council offices. Make of that what you will!!

Spons 2001 edition gives a price of £2.14 per cubic metre but there are multipliers for the type of soil ranging from 2.00 for clay to 6.00 for running sand or silt.
You would have to add the haulage and disposal costs to this.
Don't run away with the idea that it is just a case of pointing a digger driver in the right direction and expecting him to do it all. Disposal and subsequent landscaping of the spoil will cost at least as much as the digging.
If you try to get it all done by the digger, reckon on him having to move all the spoil several times to get it far enough away from the pond edge.

There are several contractors advertising for this sort of work.

http://www.lakesandgolfcourses.com
http://www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk
http://www.land-water.co.uk

quote:

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I'm no expert but there is more to building a fishery than digging a hole and lining it

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obviously - you gotta through some fish it then

quote:

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Originally posted by Bradford Angler:
this is a bit - how long is a piece of string, but

does anyone know any rough costs for digging a 1 acre lake

(1) planning costs

(2) hire of plant and driver

(3) removal or additional costs of spreading firt from the ground

(4) water consents or others

(5) cost per ton for linings (puddle clay etc ?)

I have been given a figure which I believe is far too high, and question the accuracy and age of the quote . . so anything that can be learnt would be of great help - also how long would it take to dig a one acre lake 6 foot deep to 4 feet ?

anyone any experience or had one recently dug ??

---

BA

Yup, a mate of mine has just done exactly this. PM or e-mail me for details

DG