Project Spotlight: Restoring the Pond at Cabela’s Fort Worth

Cabela's stores are known for their rugged, outdoor-centric atmosphere, and the large ponds at the front of the store are a key part of that experience. However, a prominent water feature can quickly become a liability when nature takes over. Over time, this pond had become heavily overgrown with dense stands of cattails and emergent vegetation.

The overgrowth didn’t just affect aesthetics; it obstructed views for visitors and significantly reduced the amount of open water visible from the storefront and surrounding property. AUS Dredge and Dive was called in as a subcontractor to provide a mechanical solution to reclaim the pond's edge and restore its natural beauty.

“The goal was to restore the clean, professional look that customers expect when they pull into a premier destination like Cabela’s, without the mess or downtime of a traditional excavation.” 

- Marty Pearce, AUS Senior Estimator

The Challenge

The primary challenge was the location and density of the vegetation. Because the pond is a focal point of a high-traffic retail environment, a traditional "drain and scrape" method was out of the question. The vegetation was thick enough to choke the shoreline, but the surrounding landscaping and daily store operations needed to remain completely undisturbed. We needed a solution that was powerful enough to remove established cattail stands but light enough to navigate the pond’s edges safely.

The Solution—Weedoo to the Rescue! 

We deployed our Weedoo, a specialized, low-impact mechanical aquatic vegetation removal machine. The Weedoo is designed for exactly this type of precision work. Its compact size and maneuverability allowed our operators to move along the pond's perimeter and selectively harvest the dense cattail stands without damaging the pond liner or the manicured landscaping nearby.

Services Provided

• Targeted Mechanical Vegetation Removal: Selective harvesting of dense cattails using the Weedoo.
• Shoreline Restoration: Clearing pond edges to restore the transition between water and land.
• Open Water Recovery: Removing surface-choking growth to increase visible water surface area.
• Collaborative Project Management: Coordinating with a partner pond management company for debris disposal and long-term maintenance.

The Results

By removing the wall of cattails, we significantly improved visibility and curb appeal for this Cabela storefront. The pond returned to its clean, natural appearance, serving once again as an inviting landmark for outdoor enthusiasts.

Best of all, the project was completed with minimal disruption to the store's daily operations. Customers were able to shop and visit the property safely while we worked, and the general contractor followed to ensure all debris was collected and disposed of properly. Cabela’s now has its view back, and the pond is back to peak performance.

Need to Restore Your Commercial Water Feature? Let’s Talk.

If your pond or lake is losing the battle against invasive weeds or cattails, you don't have to settle for an eyesore. AUS Dredge and Dive provides precision mechanical removal that restores aesthetics and function without the heavy footprint.

Use our Contact Us page to start planning your project or call us at (817) 377-8512 to schedule a consultation.