Steps to Building Your Pond
When you begin to build your pond, just as when you build a house, laying the foundation is the most important step.  It marks the end of dreaming and planning and the beginning of years of enjoyment and pleasure.  Here I will guide you through the steps to build your new Koi pond.

Dig the Hole
When building your pond, if it is to be located in a lawn area use a flat shovel to remove patches or strips of sod within the pond outline and about 6 to 12 inches beyond the iconicon perimeter.  You may be able to use this sod elsewhere to patch your lawn.  Purchase this heavy duty cart, shown at left for removing sod and rocks.   It holds up to 500 lbs.!  If you are creating a bog or wetland area, you can use this as a divider between the pond and the bog.  You may also build shelves around the pond's perimeter for your shallow-water plants.  However, as these shelves do have some drawbacks, many ponder's omit them, instead growing their shallow- water plants by raising them on bricks or by other means.  If you would like to know more about  building these shelves into your pond, e-mail me and I will be glad to assist you.  To protect the liner from the sun, and to help hide the liner you will want your edging to overhang the pond edge by a few inches. 

Cut a Ledge for the Edging Materials
With a flat blade shovel, cut a ledge around the pond rim to provide a flat, level surface on which to install the edging materials.  This should generally be about 12 to 15 inches wGardener's Supply Companyide and deep enough to accomodate the combined thickness of the edging and underlayment if one is necessary.  To prevent runoff from entering your pond, you will want the top of your finished edging to be at least 1 inch above the surrounding terrain.  To help hide the liner and protect it from the sun allow the edging to overhang the pond edge by a few inches.

Make sure the Pond Edges are Level
Once the pond has been filled with water, if there are any high or low spots they will be very obvious.  The lining will show or the pond water will overflow the edging.  Using a board and a level move it from various points across the length and width or your pond.  Check the level each time.  If necessary, cut down high spots on the ledge or build up low ones.  Keep doing this until the entire pond is level.  Now check the area for any sharp stones or projecting roots and remove them.  Depending on the terrain, you may need an underlayment.  If not you can use damp sand, an old carpet,  or a 1-inch layer of newspapers.  Also be sure to pack damp sand or soil into any holes in the sidewalls and bottom such as where large rocks were removed.

Position the Liner
When installing your liner, pick a warm sunny day.  If not warm enough for you to go shoeless, you'll need footwear that will keep your feet warm and dry but not damage the liner.  To make the liner more flexible and easier to handle, lay it out in the sun for a few minutes.  Don't lay it on the lawn as heat will build up quickly and kill it.  Use sun-warmed pavement if possible.  Using a helper, drape the liner loosely into the hole, leaving an even overlap on all sies.  After it is centered, weigh down the edges with concrete blocks, bricks, or stones.  Once the liner is in place,  fill the pond with water.