5 Mistakes to Avoid in Pond Construction near Muskegon County | Ryerson Brothers Excavating
Why Building a Pond Isn’t as Simple as Digging a Hole
You’ve been thinking about building a pond. Maybe you want a peaceful spot to sit beside in the evening. Maybe your kids want to toss in a fishing line. Or maybe you just want to bring some beauty and life into that unused part of your land.
But then come the questions. Where should it go? Will it hold water? What if it leaks or becomes a muddy mess?
We’ve worked with homeowners across Muskegon County who started out just like this. Some tried to do it themselves. Others hired someone who wasn’t the right fit. And a few ended up with more of a problem than a pond.
If that’s something you’re worried about, we get it. This isn’t just a project. It’s your land. Your investment. And you don’t want to regret a single part of it.
That’s where we come in. At Ryerson Brothers Excavating, we’ve helped many local families build ponds the right way from the start. This article will walk you through the five biggest mistakes we see with pond construction near Muskegon and how to make sure they don’t happen to you.
1. Poor Site Selection
Choosing the wrong spot can ruin your project before it even begins.
Sometimes homeowners pick the lowest spot on the property thinking it will naturally fill with water. Or they choose a hidden corner to keep it out of the way. But location affects everything.
Here’s what can go wrong:
Building too close to trees causes root problems and leaf buildup
A steep slope can lead to erosion or unstable edges
Poor access makes excavation harder and more expensive
It might interfere with utilities or drain too close to a septic system
We always walk the land with you first. We look at how the sun hits the area, where water already flows, and how you plan to use the space. Your dream pond should be placed in a spot that makes sense now and works for your future plans too.
2. Ignoring Soil Conditions in Muskegon County
Not all dirt is the same. And in our region, soil type makes or breaks your pond.
In Muskegon and surrounding counties, we see a mix of sand, clay, and loam. Sand drains fast. Clay holds water but can crack. And some soils just don’t compact well at all.
If you skip soil testing, you might end up with:
A pond that slowly drains on its own
Banks that crumble after a heavy rain
Trouble keeping the water clean or clear
That’s why we always recommend testing your soil first. It tells us what kind of liner or compaction is needed, or if you might need to bring in extra material. Trust us, it’s a small step that saves a lot of headaches later.
3. Skipping the Liner or Natural Sealing Process
If your pond won’t hold water, nothing else matters.
A lot of folks think their soil will hold up just fine on its own. But even tiny gaps or pockets in the ground can let water seep out faster than you’d expect.
Without proper sealing, here’s what we’ve seen:
Ponds that drop several inches overnight
Areas around the pond that stay soggy and unusable
Constant refilling that drives up water bills
Depending on the location and soil, we might compact natural clay or use a synthetic liner. Sometimes we use a bentonite clay mixture that swells to seal leaks. The key is making this decision before the pond is filled — not after it starts leaking.
4. Bad Drainage or Overflow Planning
You need to think about what happens when it rains. A lot.
Many ponds fail because there’s no overflow plan. When heavy rain hits, water needs a place to go. Otherwise, it spills over the edges, floods the lawn, or erodes the surrounding area.
Without drainage, you might end up with:
Washed-out banks that fall into the pond
Flooding in nearby buildings or garden beds
Standing water that breeds mosquitoes
We always include overflow protection in our pond builds. That might mean an overflow pipe, a rock spillway, or a natural swale that carries water safely away. It protects your pond, your property, and your peace of mind.
5. Going Cheap on Excavation or Equipment
We understand wanting to save money. But cutting corners on excavation usually costs more in the long run.
We’ve seen homeowners rent a skid steer and try to dig a pond themselves. Others hired someone with the wrong equipment for the job. What looked like a good deal turned into a redo.
Here’s what happens when the excavation isn’t done right:
Unstable banks that slump or collapse
Bottoms that are too shallow, too deep, or uneven
Poor shaping that causes water stagnation
Our team uses the right machines for each job. We carefully grade the slopes, compact the edges, and shape the pond so it looks natural and performs well over time. We also make sure you can mow or walk around the edges safely.
How We Help Homeowners Avoid These Mistakes
We’re Ryerson Brothers Excavating, and we’ve been helping folks in Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Newaygo Counties create ponds they love. We’re not a huge company, and we like it that way. It means we get to focus more on the details that matter.
When you reach out to us, we’ll do more than just dig a hole:
We help you pick the right spot
We test and evaluate the soil
We build a plan for liners, overflow, and drainage
We shape the pond to fit your land and your goals
We do it with care, attention, and your budget in mind
Whether you want a fishing pond, a wildlife water source, or just a quiet spot to enjoy with your family, we can help make it happen the right way.
Thinking About a Pond? Let’s Talk Before You Dig
You don’t need to figure it all out on your own.
If you're somewhere in or near Muskegon County and thinking about building a pond, we’d love to talk. Whether you’re ready to start or just looking for advice, we’re happy to walk your property and help you get clear on your next steps.
Avoid the pitfalls. Ask the questions now. And build something that brings value and beauty to your land for years to come.
Give us a call. Let’s dig into it — the right way.
