A well-built pond adds water for livestock, wildlife, irrigation, fishing, or just the look of the place. What it costs to dig depends on the pond's size, the soil, the access for equipment, and whether you want a simple farm pond or a shaped and finished water feature. Here are honest ranges to budget with.
Pond excavation cost by size
- Small pond (about 10 by 15 feet, 3 to 4 feet deep): $1,500 to $5,000+
- Medium pond (about 20 by 30 feet, 5 to 6 feet deep): $5,000 to $15,000+
- Large pond (about a quarter acre): $10,000 to $30,000+
- Farm pond (about one acre): $20,000 to $70,000+
Cost by the cubic yard
Diggers often price by volume moved:
- $2 to $8+ per cubic yard in favorable soil with good access.
- $10 to $30+ per cubic yard when rock, tree removal, or poor access is involved.
A pond that measures 40 by 60 feet and 6 feet deep works out to about 533 cubic yards of dirt. The digging alone at those rates might land around $1,600 to $3,700+, but once you add equipment mobilization, shaping and grading the banks, managing the spoil, and finishing, the total project often runs $8,000 to $20,000+. Volume is only part of the story.
What drives the price
- Size and depth. More dirt moved means more time and more equipment.
- Soil and rock. Clay usually holds water well, which is a plus here, but rock in the way slows everything down.
- Access. Room to work and a place to put the dirt keeps costs down. Tight or remote sites cost more.
- Clearing first. Trees and brush on the footprint add $500 to $5,000+ before the pond work starts.
- Hauling spoil. If the dirt cannot stay on site, hauling it off runs about $10 to $30+ per cubic yard.
Other costs to plan for
- Pond liner (if the soil will not hold water): roughly $0.50 to $3+ per square foot for materials, more if installed.
- Permits, erosion control, or engineering: $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on local requirements.
Get a free estimate
We dig farm ponds and backyard ponds as part of our excavation and dirt work. Tell us the size you want and where the property is, and we will look at the soil and access and give you an honest number. Request a free quote or call (706) 936-4615.
