A stock tank is priced on the job, not off a chart. The price is based mostly on how much dirt is moved, then on whether the soil will hold water or needs sealing, how much rock is in the basin, how a machine gets in, what has to be cleared first, where the spoil goes, and whether the dam needs testing or a professional design. We look at the site and give a free estimate.
What the price is based on
| Factor | What we look at | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Size and depth | How wide and deep the tank needs to be | Most of the work is dirt moved, and it grows fast with size |
| Soil | Clay, sand, gravel or limestone in the test holes | Good clay holds on its own; poor soil may need sealing |
| Rock | Ledges or boulders in the basin | Slows digging and can mean breaking or hauling |
| Access and clearing | Brush, gates, a road to the site | Clearing or a road may be needed first |
| Spoil | Berm, nearby pad or road, or haul-off | Shaping spoil on site is less work than trucking it |
| Testing and design | Test holes, dam height, storage | Larger dams need an engineer's design |
The factors in more detail
Size
Most of the work is dirt moved. A tank twice as deep or twice as wide moves far more than twice the dirt.
Soil and sealing
Good clay holds on its own. Limestone, sand or gravel may need a clay blanket, bentonite or a liner, which adds material and work (Texas Extension).
Rock
Rock in the basin slows digging and can mean breaking or hauling.
Access and clearing
A tank site that needs brush cleared and a road built first is a bigger job than one beside an open pasture. See land clearing and ranch roads.
Spoil
Spoil shaped into the berm is less work than spoil hauled away. Good spoil can also feed a pad or road nearby.
Testing and design
Test holes, and above 200 acre-feet a professional design (Texas Farm Ponds).
Cost-share
Pond (practice 378) is an NRCS conservation practice (NRCS). On agricultural land, EQIP may help pay for a pond that is part of a conservation plan. Texas payment rates are published through NRCS's payment schedule tool (NRCS payment schedules). See the EQIP guide.
What to have ready for an estimate
- Where the land is and where you picture the tank
- What it is for: cattle, horses, wildlife, fishing, looks
- How many head, if it is for stock
- What is on the site now: brush, rock, an old tank
- How a machine gets in
Call (830) 328-3684 or send the form. Estimates are free.
Common questions
How much does it cost to dig a pond in Texas?
It depends on the site, so we do not publish a number. The price is based mostly on how much dirt is moved, then on the soil, rock, access, clearing and where the spoil goes. Estimates are free.
Why do pond prices vary so much?
Volume of dirt moved, soil and sealing, rock, access and clearing all change the job.
Does Highlander Construction publish tank prices?
No. We give free estimates after looking at the site.
Can I get help paying for a stock tank?
Pond (practice 378) is an NRCS conservation practice. Ask your local USDA Service Center about EQIP.
Talk to us about your land
Every piece of land is different. Call (830) 328-3684 or send the form for a free estimate. See our stock tanks & ponds service.
