Scrape the bottom of the pond with the excavating blade. Do not drain the water into a sewer system or other waterway, such as a local stream.Īllow the pond bed to dry out so the machinery does not become stuck while cleaning out the silt. Direct the flow of water toward an area that can accept the water without flooding any roads, driveways or other features. At first, this will be after each pass eventually, you will need to empty the bucket every few passes as you collect most of the silt from the bottom.ĭrain the pond using the pump to expose the bottom surface of the pond. Empty the bucket after it is no more than half full. The barrel scrapes silt as it goes across the bottom, and the water escapes through the lid. Use the machine to drag the barrel back and forth across the pond. Secure the cable to a bobcat, or to the ball of a tow hitch on a truck. Drill a large number of holes in the lid of the barrel with a 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch bit. Do not just deposit it on the bank of the pond silt is light and is not true soil, so it will wash right back into the pond with any rainfall.Īttach a heavy-duty steel cable to a 55-gallon metal drum with a lid. Mix the dredged silt with compost or other soil to re-use the material. The silt will feel soft and mucky, as opposed to the true bottom of the pond, which will be thick mud that gives some resistance when the shovel contacts it. Take care not to dig too deeply unless you desire to increase the depth of the pond past the built-up silt layer.

Scrape the silt off the bottom of the pond with a shovel and deposit it in the wheelbarrow.

Best method for dredging a pond