Pond Builder for North Carolina Land
Farm ponds and fishing ponds built on red clay ground, plus the clearing, grading and drainage that go with them. Family owned in Walnut Cove and working across the northwest Piedmont for nearly a decade.
- Locally Owned in Stokes County
- Nearly a Decade on NC Land
- Fully Insured
- On-Site Estimates
Ponds Are the Work We Like Best
Maybe you have a wet draw in the back pasture, cattle that need water, or grandkids who ought to learn to fish. Whatever the reason, a good pond starts with the land. It needs enough clay to hold water, enough ground draining to it to stay full, and an overflow that can take a hard North Carolina rain.
We build farm ponds for livestock and irrigation, fishing ponds for the family, and retention ponds for managing runoff. Because we clear, dig and grade the site ourselves, you are not lining up three different contractors.
Before you call anybody, read how to tell if your land will hold a pond. Then see how we build them.
Before
After
Before
AfterHow We Build a Pond
Walk the site
We look at the slope, what drains to the spot, and what you want the pond to do. If the land is wrong for a pond, you will hear that from us before any money is spent.
Check the ground
A pond holds water because of what is in the soil. We find out how much clay you have to work with and where it sits, because Piedmont clay can give way to sand or rock without warning.
Dig and build the dam
The basin gets cut and shaped to depth, and the dam goes up in compacted lifts with the moisture right. Rushing this step is how ponds end up leaking.
Set the overflow
A spillway sized for hard rain keeps a big storm from running over the dam and cutting it. We stabilize the banks and clean up the site before we leave.
Thinking About a Pond? Start Here.
- Will My Land Hold a Pond?
The clay, slope and water questions that decide whether a site is worth digging.
- What a Pond Costs in North Carolina
What actually moves the price of a farm or fishing pond, and how to compare bids.
- Pond Permits in North Carolina
Dam safety, streams and wetlands, erosion control, and who to call before you dig.
Other Work We Do on Your Land
Plenty of folks call us about a pond and end up clearing a fence line too. Others just need one piece of ground fixed. We do both, and the full list of land services is here.
Land Clearing
Open up grown-over acreage for pasture, a homesite, or a pond. We leave the trees you want to keep.
Forestry Mulching
Grind brush and saplings where they stand, with no burn pile to deal with and the ground left covered.
Excavation & Grading
House pads, driveways, and ground shaped so water runs where it should.
Drainage Solutions
French drains, swales and regrading for wet ground, washouts, and water that sits against a house or barn.
What Customers Say About Justin
★★★★★
I contacted Justin on a Sunday morning, about a drainage issue and he was at my house within the hour. He offered me advice on how to fix the problem and did not try to push me to hire him for the issue. He did offer his services at a reasonable price if his advice did not work. He was spot on and I was able to fix my problem. Most would try to push a high price repair, like two previous companies that came out and gave me estimates. Highly recommended..
★★★★★
Justin and his team did an outstanding job completing my project on time and in budget. His customer care and attention to detail was evident in all phases of his work. I would highly recommend JS Excavation to anyone looking for a highly competent and reliable excavation contractor.
★★★★★
We had ongoing issues with water pooling and flooding in our front and back yard, and Justin from J.S. Excavation did an excellent job helping us fix it. He gave a clear evaluation with multiple options, explained everything in a way we could easily understand, and was honest about what would and wouldn’t work. Justin was responsive, professional, and took the time to make sure the solution was done right. Our yard is already draining so much better. Highly recommend J.S. Excavation & Land Management.
Where We Work
Home base is Walnut Cove, in the middle of Stokes County. Most of our jobs are within a short haul of here, on farms, family tracts and rural homesites across the northwest Piedmont.
All Service Areas- Stokes County
Walnut Cove, King, Danbury, Germanton, Pinnacle, Lawsonville, Sandy Ridge
- Forsyth County
Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Belews Creek, Rural Hall, Tobaccoville, Walkertown, Clemmons, Lewisville, Bethania
- Rockingham County
Madison, Mayodan, Stoneville, Wentworth, Reidsville, Eden
- Guilford County
Greensboro, High Point, Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Browns Summit, Jamestown
Common Questions
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Walnut Cove and mainly work in Stokes, Forsyth and Rockingham Counties, along with nearby parts of Guilford and Surry Counties. If your land is farther out in North Carolina or just over the Virginia line, call us. For the right pond project, we may be able to make the trip.
How much land do I need for a pond?
There is no fixed number, but a pond needs more than the water surface. It also needs room for the dam, the spillway and spoil, plus enough ground draining to it to keep it full. Tracts of several acres give you the most options, and the shape of the land often matters more than the acreage. We can tell you more after walking it.
How much does a pond cost to build?
Price comes down to size, the amount of dirt to move, the soil, and what has to be cleared first. Published per-acre figures are all over the map, so we price from a site visit. Our guide to pond costs in North Carolina explains what moves the number.
Do I need a permit to build a pond in North Carolina?
Often some part of the project needs a look. Damming a stream or filling wetlands can involve federal and state approval, large dams fall under the NC Dam Safety Program, and disturbing an acre or more usually requires an erosion control plan unless an exemption applies. Check before digging, not after.
Are you insured?
Yes. J.S. Excavation is fully insured.
How do I get an estimate?
Call or fill out the request form. We talk through the project and then come look at the property.
Walk Your Land With Us
Call Justin or send a few details about the property. We will come look at the ground, tell you what we honestly think, and give you a clear plan and a price.