I have a 3 acre pond dug two years ago with about 600' of berm/dam built around half of it. The berm/dam was built from red clay placed by large earth haulers and spread with a sheeps-foot dozer so compaction shouldn't be an issue. They are 15-50' wide at the base and 10' wide at the top and range from 3-15' tall. Unfortunately I have greater than a 3 to 1 slope in the interior of the pond.

Last year the pond was still filling and was 8' from the top, with only some minor seepage (< 5 gal/day) in one small spot.

This year with large snow fall and spring rain it filled up rather quickly (so glad I put plenty of overflow pipes in). Now it appears that I have seepage in about 20 places but still only loosing relatively minor amounts (~2000 gallons day) and no noticeable water level drops. Even after a week of no rain (and no springs feed the pond) I only had about a 1/4 inch of loss which I would attribute most to evaporation.

I understand some seepage is common in new clay dams. How long is "normal" for seepage to occur?

Since it is not eroding the dam, should I have any concerns about a catastrophic failure? I really don't want to send 10 million gallons of water towards my neighbors property.

Thanks in advance,
Art

Call Mike Otto. His name and number are on website.

I second the call. You might be O.K., but then again, maybe not. Peace of mind is worth the call.

Where are you in Wisconsin? I was born in Mke. I was going to say "grew up," but that's a work-in-process.

I am located near Fond du Lac, about 15 miles northeast in a little town called Malone.

Art

Oofta! I was married in Waupaca county in 1969.

So, let us know how your problem (if it is a problem) is resolved. Some seepage is okay and routine.

Oofta! I was married in Waupaca county in 1969.

Funny I was born in Stevens Point. And went to vacation Bible School in Waupaca! Small small world.

And I west to UWSP for Wildlife Biology and Forestry......