Cray Fish in Southern California ponds

[Weston]

I bought a vacant lot property. Had a mud hole. Dug it up and found water just came out of the ground. Captured it, to which it over flowed. More mud.
Made a pond. Same thing. Ran a pipe a few 100 feet way. Made a second pond. Same thing. More mud. Made a reservoir. Which I now pump out about every 4-5 days and water plants and small grass area. Was considering adding crayfish. Mosquito fish and goldfish are doing well.
I have collected plants out of the LA river and all appear to be taking slowly. Some, the fish eat.
Is this a crayfish safe and survive type place. Will they hurt my Home Depot liner and the small fish? I can get crayfish from a local stream. Just having fun making my own little campground and retreat.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

I’m confused. Do you have multiple mud holes, that continuously refill? Or did you line these mud holes? Where is the water coming from, and when you pump it out, where is the water and mud going?

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome @Weston! I doubt the crayfish will hurt a pond liner. But you mention Home Depot liner. Is this some makeshift thing using a waterproof tarp? If a real pond liner no worries. When visiting friends in the LA area, we used to catch crayfish using bacon on a string. One thing about the crayfish is I only found them in brooks and flowing streams. You might consider this if you keep them. Try to replicate their home environment, rocky bottom with clean, moving water. That would be good stewardship. Good luck!

 

[j.w]

and welcome @Weston

 

[GBBUDD]

I bought a vacant lot property. Had a mud hole. Dug it up and found water just came out of the ground. Captured it, to which it over flowed. More mud.
Made a pond. Same thing. Ran a pipe a few 100 feet way. Made a second pond. Same thing. More mud. Made a reservoir. Which I now pump out about every 4-5 days and water plants and small grass area. Was considering adding crayfish. Mosquito fish and goldfish are doing well.
I have collected plants out of the LA river and all appear to be taking slowly. Some, the fish eat.
Is this a crayfish safe and survive type place. Will they hurt my Home Depot liner and the small fish? I can get crayfish from a local stream. Just having fun making my own little campground and retreat.

What exactly is a home depot liner vinyl or epdm