Could use some help with digging a pond

[Qapla]

I have about 4 "holes" the size you are digging that I dug with the FEL without a tooth bar. Didn't take long at all. Of course I don't have any dirt left for a berm as the reason I started the digging was to use the dirt as fill elsewhere.
I say holes because they are still too shallow to be ponds. I plan on connecting them at some point and to make them more like 8'-10' deep. Maybe that way they will hold water longer.

 

[jokergerm]

I am i going to need a pond liner. how do i tell if i need one.

I assume i need one but i have no idea. I was bored and figured i would fill it up with water and make sure it works. lol

 

[k0ua]

I am i going to need a pond liner. how do i tell if i need one.

I assume i need one but i have no idea. I was bored and figured i would fill it up with water and make sure it works. lol

While I have no personal experience, I have heard bentonite clay can be used a a liner:

Pond Sealer - Sodium Bentonite Pond Sealant - PDS Co., Inc.

Lining Ponds with Bentonite, Soil and ESS-13

James K0UA

 

[Bdavis]

I am i going to need a pond liner. how do i tell if i need one.

I assume i need one but i have no idea. I was bored and figured i would fill it up with water and make sure it works. lol

I read about a little quick test on the soil , don't know if it actually works but sounds logical.
Below is the soil test I found hope this helps

Get a shovel, dig a hole as deep as possible, fill it with water, and see how long it takes the water to disappear. After five minutes, repeat and allow the soil around the hole to soak up the water. Another way to test your soil is to grab a handful of the dirt, add water, and make a ball out of it if it. Does it stay together? If so, that is a good sign. Next put the ball back in the water and see if it will stay in one piece. Sometimes that ball will be in the same shape the next day. If it is, you are in good shape. Find clay. If clay is sparse or doesn't exist, learn your options to amend it...before you bring in the heavy equipment.

 

[jokergerm]

One word FAIL

Pond drained it self over night. Came out this morning and there was less than 1 foot of water and its 5 feet deep lol

Pond liner time

 

[Biggreenavalanche]

Bentonite...

There is a great forum at Pondboss.com and I'm sure somebody there will have an alternative to bentonite...

Rich

 

[jokergerm]

sounds expensive

 

[rswyan]

sounds expensive

He said bentonite .... not kryptonite .... :laughing:

FWIW, what sounds expensive to me is investing T & E in doing a pond without having researched and acquired the relevant info and technology to achieve success .... know before ya go ....

 

[jokergerm]

Time and Energy??

 

[rswyan]

Time and Energy??

Energy would work as well .... but Effort was the word I originally had in mind.

The fact it isn't currently holding water isn't necessarily a bad thing - considering where you are located, it might allow you to get it fully excavated as you want it .... without it filling up and then having to pump it out.