Anybody know to "seal" a dirt pond?

[calman93611]

I wonder if there are different types of bentonite. The bentonite we used was white out of the bag and remained white when we filled the pond.

 

[Sodo]

If bentonite, or clay, are mixed in the water, will they settle out and seal the dirt? I don't think I can drain this pond to put it on the dirt. Maybe a siphon would work, but I'd have to divert the creek too.

 

[calman93611]

Bentonite is a clay. After we drained out the pond/lake we cleaned out the mud, sludge, etc, let everything dry out, then we spread the bentonite and then we rototilled the bentonite into the soil, only about 2 inches or so. Smoothed everything out, then slowly started filling the pond. If your pond it not too large why don't you just use a rubber membrane for small ponds. This is one of the things we use in the landscape industry, it is made by Firestone and is a 45 mill thickness rubber membrane. Found an example on Ebay: Firestone 45 Mil EPDM Flexible Fish Pond Liner 10 x 10 | eBay

 

[dragoneggs]

Bentonite is routinely used by Golf Course builders. I am only aware of them applying it in a unfilled 'divot' though. But I am no expert here. Bentonite is fairly expensive but it works. I plan to use it for my future pond. Still have lots of planning to do with overflow/fill and aeration though. One thing you don't want (at least I don't) is stagnate water.

 

[Hiltz]

A bag of Portland cement costs you about $10.00 at Lowes

 

[Clay45]

Texas Sodium Bentonite - Sprinkle Method

 

[FTG-05]

This is a practice pond, a project with my daughter more to get her using the excavator. But then it turned into a project that we thought could look nice. In the last few days I've learned a lot about ponds. If I were to make a BIG pond that costs real money I'd do a lot more careful planning!

I'll probably do another little pond with my other girl and this time will think about a liner. But isn't dirt sitting on a liner just "mud"?

Whatever it ends being, it's just there to protect the lining from being penetrated and then leaking.

 

[FTG-05]

I've looked at this quite a bit. Did a lot of reading, then purchased 1000 lbs to test it out in a small depression. It is recommended to mix with soil before spreading. Great idea ... lemme get my shovel and a rake The cost is also a bit pricey.

How much does the bentonite cost? I've heard that coverage is around 1-3 lbs per square foot. At a $1/lb, that could indeed get pretty pricey for a larger pond; but I have no idea how much the stuff costs.

And where do you normally get it? I've never seen it at Lowe's/HD (but never looked for it either). Don't know if the local coops have it (never looked there either).

Thanks,

 

[PAGUY]

I've heard that some people use cat litter if they know where the water is leaking out of their pond.

Just thought I would add to the discussion.

 

[paulharvey]

How much does the bentonite cost? I've heard that coverage is around 1-3 lbs per square foot. At a $1/lb, that could indeed get pretty pricey for a larger pond; but I have no idea how much the stuff costs.

And where do you normally get it? I've never seen it at Lowe's/HD (but never looked for it either). Don't know if the local coops have it (never looked there either).

Thanks,

If you happen to know anyone in the underground utility business; they often need to get rid of directional drilling slurry they vac out of the pits. It's bentonite, water, and native soil. They need to get rid of it, and you can use it.

Failing that Vermeer or Ditchwitch should know where to buy bentonite.

Do they use it in well drilling? In only familiar with it from horizontal directional drilling/bores.


Bentonite does encourage growth of weeds, algae, etc. We aren't allowed to let any of it discharge into a water body when doing directional drills. That shouldn't be a problem for you; but FDEP blows their stack of turbidity and such....