A large drag-line might be required to remove accumulated silt from an entire pond basin. Stump Removal or Reflooring Many pond sites were not cleared when the ponds were constructed initially, and ponds may contain standing timber or stumps. Obviously, ponds with stumps cannot be harvested using a seine. Costs for removing stumps vary with stump diameter and condition of the pond bottom. Some contractors may charge by the acre rather than by the number of stumps.
Stump removal is relatively inexpensive if the pond bottom can be dried.
A bulldozer can push out stumps in the process of grading the pond bottom. If the pond bottom is always wet, stump removal must be accomplished using other equipment such as a bulldozer with a cable or winch, a backhoe with mats, a front end loader or explosives. Another option, especially in deeper ponds, is to bring in extra earth from a borrow pit and refloor the pond. Earth is placed over the pond bottom until equipment can enter to remove stumps or until the bottom is raised beyond the height of existing stumps. Reflooring can also be used to seal leaks.