I'm thinking about having a half acre farm pond dig.Was wondering if this will make property tax increase?And are there any permits that I need to get before I hire someone with the equipment to dig pond?Or any other thoughts bad or good on having pound dug?I live in NC

-- K Smith (smith499456@aol.com), April 24, 2002

Answers

In Iowa no special permits are needed, atleast if there are the pond builder takes care of it as there was nothing I had to do along those lines. It did not effect the tax assessment. I would caution you to try to impress on the people building your pond that you don't want the dam to leak, most all dams leak a little but some are quite a bit worse than others.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), April 24, 2002.

The one thing to consider is runoff when it overflows. If your pond overflows and effects a neighbor they would be upset.

-- Emil in TN (eprisco@usit.net), April 24, 2002.

In SC you have to (or should) have seperate insurance for your pond. Your home-owners ins. won't cover. If some kid gets in that pond and drowns, you could be liable. Even if you have a no tresspassing sign. A friend of mine carries ins. for this very reason. I don't think its fair. Good luck.

-- Michelle Thomas (mpthomas83@hotmail.com), April 24, 2002.

Your taxes should only increase if the pond makes your property value increase. If in doubt, ask them (don't give your name!). Any good dozer operator or pond builder will know of any permits needed. But get someone who knows what they are doing, so it will be done right. There are lots of things to consider, such as the possible need to line the pond, the surrounding terrain and natural water flows, etc. You don't want to end up with a mudpit that won't hold or collect water.

-- SteveD(TX) (smdann@swbell.net), April 24, 2002.

A pond is on our "to do" list. Our homeowners ins. would actually go down because we have a water source on the property in case of a fire.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), April 24, 2002.

Be sure to check with your local utility companies just to make sure there are no electric, phone, or gas lines running through the pond site.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), April 25, 2002.