How to Build a Pond on a Slanted Hill

1). Determine where the terrace will be located on the slanted hill. Arrange for an appropriately sized excavator machine, or hire an excavating company to create the terrace for the pond.
2). Excavate the earth to create a new terrace on the slanted hill. Make sure the distance from the front of the newly excavated terrace to the back is 4 feet longer than the pond. This extra footage provides the front of the pond with sufficient structural support to prevent the earth in front of the pond from sloughing off down the hill. Use a level to check the terrace.
3). Use a garden hose to create the shape of the pond to be installed on the new terrace. Make sure the distance from the front of the planned pond is at least 4 feet back from the front of the terrace. Mark the shape of the garden hose on the ground with marking paint. This outlines the area to be excavated for the pond itself.
4). Excavate the pond. Remove the earth using the paint marks on the ground as a guide. Contour the pond with different depths as desired. Leave "shelves" 6-18 inches deep for emergent plants. Make sure to dig 2 inches deeper than the desired depth of the pond. Remove any rocks, sticks and debris.
5). Check the levelness on all sides of the excavated area with a 12-foot, 2-by-4 inch board and a level. Hold the level on top of the board while resting both sides of the board on different sides of the excavated area. Adjust the sides of the excavated area as necessary to maintain perfect levelness around the perimeter.
6). Spread a 2-inch layer of damp sand evenly along the entire excavated area of the pond. Landscaping fabric may also be added over the sand for additional durability and to defend against rips, tears and holes in the pond liner.
7). Install the flexible PVC liner. Unfold or unroll the liner and place it over the excavated area. Use your feet to fit the liner into the different shelves and crevices. Fold over flaps for curved edges. Place rocks on the liner to hold it in place.
8). Add water slowly, and smooth out any wrinkles.
9). Cut away any excess liner material around the edges of the pond, but make sure to leave 6 inches of overlap. Cover this overlap with dirt or stones to hold it in place.