4 year old pond won't seal - 10/26/08 01:24 PM
Hello all, I am in east central IL. where there is sandy black dirt for about 2-3 foot and then all clay from there on down. I had my 1 acre pond dug 4 years ago. It is 3-4 feet on the shallow side, and goes down to 15 feet on the deep end. It is not spring feed, has no underground springs. Only gets what washes down. My problem is that is looses water down to the "clay line" (looses 3-4 feet) in a matter of weeks. Its done this every year, all year. Heavy rainy season will fill it up, but then to just watch it lower in the weeks ahead.
Now, My contractor(novice at the time) admits to a few faults...
#1- When he excavated, we had 4" clay field tiles crossing through areas in the pond that he did not seal. At the time of excavation, they were "feeding in" and he thought, cool... "feed in"... But, they were about 3-4 foot down under grade. Of course now we see when water gets to grade(3-4 foot above tiles) the pond water goes out the field tiles. He is very good at "witching" for them and has hit every one outside the pond and plugged and sealed then all with clay... I think he has got them all.
#2- (I think is my present problem)
The sandy, black dirt that is above the clay line was not removed and filled with clay arond the ponds edge. And again, this dirt goes down about 3-4 feet before it turns to clay. And again, this goes along with my 3-4 foot water loss every time.
He is talking on making a "key way" (channel) around the outside of the pond, down to the clay line and filling and packing it in with clay up to the water line. This of course will be making a big mess around the entire pond that i am just getting the way i want it and landscaped. What a pain in the --- this will be.
I am for doing what ever it takes to keep this up to grade line. This is our pride and joy, and our little get away.
My question(s) is this...
#1- sounds like this will work, but whats you all's thoughts on it?
#2- is there any other way to get that top layer sealed?
Thank you all much for your site here and all your thoughts and input will be greatly appreciated and absorbed. Brad-n-Pam
Now, My contractor(novice at the time) admits to a few faults...
#1- When he excavated, we had 4" clay field tiles crossing through areas in the pond that he did not seal. At the time of excavation, they were "feeding in" and he thought, cool... "feed in"... But, they were about 3-4 foot down under grade. Of course now we see when water gets to grade(3-4 foot above tiles) the pond water goes out the field tiles. He is very good at "witching" for them and has hit every one outside the pond and plugged and sealed then all with clay... I think he has got them all.
#2- (I think is my present problem)
The sandy, black dirt that is above the clay line was not removed and filled with clay arond the ponds edge. And again, this dirt goes down about 3-4 feet before it turns to clay. And again, this goes along with my 3-4 foot water loss every time.
He is talking on making a "key way" (channel) around the outside of the pond, down to the clay line and filling and packing it in with clay up to the water line. This of course will be making a big mess around the entire pond that i am just getting the way i want it and landscaped. What a pain in the --- this will be.
I am for doing what ever it takes to keep this up to grade line. This is our pride and joy, and our little get away.
My question(s) is this...
#1- sounds like this will work, but whats you all's thoughts on it?
#2- is there any other way to get that top layer sealed?
Thank you all much for your site here and all your thoughts and input will be greatly appreciated and absorbed. Brad-n-Pam