Most people who dig a pond for the first time have bigger dreams in mind then what they actually end up with.

Some people want a small pond and some don't have room for a bigger one. A lot of folks start small and fall in love with the hobby, then wish they'd built bigger. A bigger pond tends to take better care of itself because it's more biologically sound. That's why you see so many of those small preformed ponds being abandoned. They are just too much work.

My point is, if you want to build a small pond, dig it by hand. You would look kind of silly having a backhoe come in to dig anything less then 500 gallons. If you are going to build a large pond, don't hesitate to call in an excavator. You'll get the depth you want and it's surprisingly affordable if you get the right guy. For $100 to $300, you can find a backhoe owner who will dig your hole for you in a few short hours.

You really need to have a depth of three to four feet if you intend to raise koi, and those last few feet are usually murderous to dig by hand. You can even rent a small backhoe and do it yourself, should you be brave enough. Be sure to have the dirt placed in such a place that it will be easy for you to form your waterfall, streams, etc. Then, all that's left for you to do is smooth out the sides into the shape you desire.

Take your time and do a thorough job of removing any roots or rocks so you don't have puncture problems down the road. And think big--if you fall in love with the pond hobby, there always comes a day when your pond is just too small!