Should I be concerned about a damp spot but no leakage at the base of one of my dikes? I just put in two small ponds and one of them had to have a dike on one side due to the slope of the property.

I'm not concerned with the losing water as it will probably be my second flow through trout pond fed by well water, but wanted to know if this should be of concern.

Just filled the pond up by pumping in water from a nearby pond downstream of this pond.

Cecil,

My guess is that you are seeing seepage. I don't think you need to be overly concerned about it. I have it also on a 50 plus year old pond. It isn't enough water loss to hurt anything and doesn't seem to get worse. I also experienced it on a new pond and after two years it went away almost completely on its own.

My earlier post, however was talking about more than seepage. I could actually see water trickle from a spot in the corner of my newly built dam. That is a problem which if left untreated can lead to a wash-out.

Cecil,

In general, most man-made dams leak. The big questions are; (1) Is the amount the structure is leaking acceptable, ie. is the reservoir drawing down unacceptably. (2) Is the water exiting the backside of the dike clear. If it is muddy in color you may be loosing fill which could lead to an eventual breach.

I generally do not become concerned when I see structures leaking "slightly" and the water is clear. You may however want to plant some water loveing plants (grasses not trees) in the seep area to control erosion.

The higher the dam the more "head" pressure on bottom of the structure, and the leak may get worse.

Good luck,

Ed

Ed

Thanks guys,

There is no water to see if it is clear or muddy. Just dampness.