Pond Construction in Central Texas | Heritage Land & Habitat

Central Texas · Pond Construction

Built to hold.

Stock ponds, wildlife ponds, and recreational water — engineered for Texas soil and built to last.

The Difference

A hole in the ground isn't a pond.

Building a pond looks simple from the outside. Dig a hole, fill it with water. But anyone who's watched a pond go dry by August knows the difference between a hole in the ground and a pond that holds.

At Heritage Land & Habitat, we build ponds that work. The right size, the right shape, in the right spot — with a dam built to last and a basin sealed to hold water through a Texas summer.

Whether you're putting in a one-acre stock pond, a wildlife pond for ducks and deer, or a recreational pond your family will actually swim in, we'll walk the land with you and build it right.

A pond built in the wrong place is a pond that leaks — every time. We read the land before we ever break ground.

What We Build

From stock tanks to recreational lakes.

Every pond is designed around the property, the watershed, and how you'll actually use the water. Here's what we build across Central Texas.

— 01

Stock Ponds

Reliable water for cattle, horses, and livestock. Sized to your watershed and built to hold through dry summers.

— 02

Wildlife & Habitat Ponds

Duck holes, deer water, and wetland impoundments designed to draw and hold wildlife year-round.

— 03

Recreational Ponds

Fishing, swimming, and family use. Built deep, clean, and shaped to be enjoyed — not just looked at.

— 04

Dams & Spillways

Engineered to standard, sized for your watershed, and built with proper core trenches and lift compaction.

— 05

Restoration & Repair

Leak diagnosis, silt removal, dam repair, and expansion of existing ponds that aren't performing.

— 06

Erosion & Detention Basins

Wet weather management, sediment control, and detention work for properties that need water moved or held.

How We Build It

Three things, done right.

A pond that holds water is the product of three things, executed with care. Skip any one and you've got an expensive hole that disappoints you every dry summer.

Site Selection

Not every spot on your property will hold a pond. We read the terrain, the watershed, and the soil before we ever break ground. A pond built in the wrong place is a pond that leaks.

The Dam

This is where most pond jobs fail. We build dams with proper core trenches, the right clay content, and compaction in lifts — not just pushed up and called done.

Sealing the Basin

Central Texas soil isn't uniform. Some properties have clay you can build with. Some have rock and sand that need help. We test before we dig, and seal where we need to.

Equipment for the job — not the brochure.

We run excavators, tracked skid steers, and bulldozers — whatever the job actually calls for. No oversized iron tearing up your property. No undersized machines taking three times as long.

The right tool for the soil, the access, and the scope. Run by people who know how to use it.

What it costs.

Pond pricing depends on size, soil, location, and access — but here's a real-world starting point:

Small stock or wildlife pond ¼ – ½ acre · $8,000 – $20,000
Standard 1-acre pond with dam $25,000 – $60,000
Larger recreational & multi-acre ponds Quoted on site after walking the property

We don't do drive-by quotes. We walk the property, walk the proposed site, and give you an honest number based on what we actually see.

Why Build

One of the highest-return improvements you can make.

Done right, a pond pays for itself in value, utility, and enjoyment. Done wrong, it's an expensive disappointment.

Increases Property Value

A well-built pond often returns more in land value than it cost to build — especially on rural and recreational acreage.

Reliable Water

Provides dependable water for livestock and wildlife, even through Texas summers when other sources go dry.

Creates Habitat

Draws waterfowl, supports fish populations, holds deer to your property, and builds long-term ecological value.

Recreation & Aesthetics

Fishing, swimming, family memories. A pond changes how you and your family use the land.

Supports Ag & Wildlife Valuations

In many cases, water improvements support your agricultural and wildlife tax valuations on the property.

It Lasts

A pond built right is a generational improvement. Pay once, enjoy for decades.

Common Questions

What landowners ask first.

How long does it take to build a pond?

Most one-acre ponds take 1–3 weeks of active work, depending on soil, weather, and access. Larger projects run longer. We give you a clear timeline up front.

What time of year is best to build?

Late summer through early winter is ideal — dry soil compacts better, and the pond is ready to catch winter and spring rains. That said, we work year-round and plan around the weather.

Will my pond hold water?

That's the whole question, and it depends on soil and construction. We assess soil on site before quoting. If the soil won't hold on its own, we'll tell you what it takes to make it work — clay haul-in, bentonite, or a liner for smaller ponds. No surprises after we dig.

Do I need a permit?

For most stock and wildlife ponds in Texas, no. Larger impoundments or ponds on certain waterways may require TCEQ or Army Corps review. We'll flag it if your project needs that conversation.

Can you fix a leaking pond?

Often, yes. We diagnose the cause first — most leaks are dam issues, not basin issues — and fix what's actually wrong instead of guessing.

What counties do you serve?

We work across Central Texas: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell, Bell, Milam, and Lee counties — plus surrounding areas case-by-case.

Service Area

Serving Travis · Williamson · Hays · Bastrop · Burnet · Blanco · Caldwell · Bell · Milam · Lee Counties

Ready to build the right pond?

Call or text Jake. We'll walk your property with you, talk through what you want, and give you an honest plan and quote.

Call 214-733-1344 Send a Text

Jake Orlich · 214-733-1344 · heritagelandhabitat.com