Proper Soil Testing Insures the Success of your Lake Building Project

The variety of Texas soils presents special problems when constructing fishing lakes, recreational lakes and farm ponds.

Proper soil testing is a crucial part of any excavation project but is of particular importance when constructing Texas fishing lakes and farm ponds. Knowing what types of soil are on site and the location of these soils is vital to decision making and planning. Just “pushing dirt” and hoping for the best can be an expensive gamble. The ability of a ranch lake, farm pond or fishing lake to retain water is directly related to the type of soil which is present in the lake bed. Generally speaking, some type of clay is the most desirable soil type to keep your lake or pond at its' fullest level.

Lamar County,TX -Summer 2005

Most generally, soil testing can be done with a standard backhoe, digging to 12 foot depths in multiple locations across the site. An experienced contractor can usually perform basic soil tests on site and determine whether the soils are suitable. Sometimes, however, if soil types appear to be questionable, samples should be sent to a lab for further testing.

Near Cleburne,TX -Fall 2006

In some cases, soil tests must be performed in excess of 12 feet. In this case, a drilling rig is generally the most cost effective method. In this operation, a small hole is drilled into the soil and core samples are taken every 3-5 feet. These samples are sent to a lab for testing.

Near Palestine,TX -Spring 2008

In creek or river bed areas which are areas of natural run off, soil testing depths can often exceed 30 feet. This is due to soil washing in to the area over lengthy periods. Every site is different which makes an experienced contractor a vital part of any successful project. Soilmovers works over a wide geographic area on a variety of different projects.

SoilMovers incorporates soil testing as an integral and necessary part of the initial lake construction process. We will not proceed with the project if the soil testing results are unfavorable. As a matter of fact, we will not even move any equipment on site or sign any contracts with the land owner until we are certain construction and successful completion of of the fishing or recreational lake is reasonably assured. Many excavation contractors, anxious to get started on the lake building project, will skip soil testing or rely on marginal testing procedures and the results are sometimes disappointing. It is a sad fact that we look at 'recovery' projects monthly where the lake is leaking or will not hold water properly. In many of these cases, proper soil testing procedures, doing your homework, attention to detail proper and proper experience levels would have prevented this costly mistake.

Near Palestine,TX -Spring 2008

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