I have been noodleing on how to stop clay run off into my new pond during moderate to heavy rains. It's got me miffed. Let me set it up. I have no water run off that enters the pond from the surface during a rain. All the rain water saturates into the ground and then runs the clay line that is about 2 ft to 3 ft deep. This is a very compacted clay line that is 40 ft thick. The top soil is a sandy loam mix, which allows the rain water to absorb real fast.
At the pond edge, about 6 ft down the slope, the water blows out the sides and enters the pond with massive amounts of clay particules. This constantly defeats my Alum/Lime introduction and clouds the water again.
I have considered bringing in a 12 yd load of 4" to 6" rocks and then cover that with top soil and seed. Would this be the right thought?? or would the blow out just move to an area of less resistance. I can't seed the slope as it just blows out with the force of the run off. Any and all ideas appreciated. Location is Cameron Texas, Great pond building area with all the clay, but a pain with all the clay particles. Where's the dang spell checker for these posts, jeez, everyone's gonna realize my best school year was kindergarden with no spell checker.

Missouri recommends a 100 foot grass buffer strip around a pond. Is there any way to cut into the "blow holes" further away from the pond? Maybe digging a big hole where the water comes out and fill it with limestone rock to help slow the water and the limestone will also help a great deal with neutrilizing the negetive charge of the clay particles.

Ken pic's would help us help you. The soil in my area does the same thing but not with the force you are describing. We get massive runoff and then the springs kick in and seep out in low spots for months. The way you are decribing it you have a gushing spring after a rain that is channeled. Are you in cultivated farm land by any chance? If so any chance there is a drain tile system that is feeding your pond. Is the clay coming in with underground water or a result of the eroison on the bank below the inlet? I have read on here that there is a soil condition that causes cloudly ponds as you are discribing for many east Texas ponds. Perhaps Eddie or some of the other east Texas folks will chime in.

Ken,I cant help with your problem,but I wanted to assure you we dont hold spelling against you around here.AND Im still in kindergarden,whats the big deal

Maybe there is some sort of turf reinforcing product that could hold the soil long enough get some vegetation growing to help filter the clay particles. I would contact a geotextile manufacturer for suggestions.

I would have to see a picture, but it may be possible to trench around the pond and pack the trench with clay.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to all that provided advice. Work has to come first, they say. I will provide a photo shot when I get out to the pond here in the next several days.

Ken, DUDE, Ponds first, work second !!!! just kidding----pics are always great!

Ken, if you don't have any surface runoff, how will the pond fill/refill after you fix this prob? (Not trying to be a SA, just curious) Also are you getting depressions or holes in the soil in the area that the water is coming from? (ground collapsing?) Lastly, if your successful in stopping the water from coming in. Will this create a swamp area beside your pond? (No other place for the water to go) Just curious about your situation, I've seen this kind of run-off before.