Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam Springs found where dam is to be built - help!

We started moving dirt to remove a swampy area under the proposed dam site - and uncovered a few springs which are flowing down from the hillside we are going to dam. So they are horizontal springs - not percolating up from the bottom vertically. We could easily get the core trench in between the springs - but it would mean that the springs could flow under the front of the dam - before the core trench- or under the back of the dam - behind the core trench. They are not high flowing springs but they drip continually. Will this be a problem or will the flow be stopped by the weight of the dam and the red clay used? We have lots of good red clay to work with.

Welcome to the forum!

IF the underground spring is lower than the high water level in the pond, AND the bottom of the pond isn't sealed and compacted properly, then yes, that will be a problem. If the pond water has access to that spring, anytime water in the pond is at a higher pressure than the water in the underground spring, it will leak out of the pond. Water in an underground spring can flow both ways, depending on where the water pressure is highest.

If you want the pond to hold water as well as possible, coat the whole pond basin with that good red clay 6" thick, compact it with a sheepsfoot roller, add another 6" layer, repeat and do that 4 times until you have 24" of well compacted, knitted clay over the whole pond basin, from lowest point to highest water level.

Thanks Esshup! My biggest concern was that a spring under the dam could undermine the integrity of it over time and cause it to fail. Again I can get the core in with no spring running into it - but is the mere fact that there is some water potentially percolating under a dam - even if it is not much - a disaster waiting to happen? I would think this is common as small springs seem to be everywhere in our area of north Georgia.

I wouldn't be too concerned about it if the core and the rest of the ground is compacted properly.

Thanks! I will sleep better tonight. I am about to spend quite a bit of money and time building a 2.5 acre pond and the thought of the dam failing because of springs under it is not good. We will make sure it is good and compacted with a sheepfoot roller. I will post pics once we are done.

Todd, if you care to, post pics throughout the whole pond building process. You certainly don't need to wait until the job is complete. Most of us on this forum enjoy watching the progress of another pond being formed and will undoubtedly offer encouragement and prolly will learn from your work.
So, don't think that we won't be interested!
And, welcome to posting on Pond Boss!

Thanks! I will add photos soon.

Todd, it may be worth the money to contact Greg Grimes with Aquatic Environmental Services, Inc.

Greg could consult with you, determine your goals, and help you create an amazing fishery at the least expense. It is a WHOLE lot cheaper to do things right to begin with over any repair or corrections after water comes in!!!

Ditto, and he's close to you too.

We had the same situation a few years ago during our build. We hit a seam of sand carrying water. We mined out about 20 truckloads of sand and sealed it with clay. Pond has held beautifully with no sign of any leaks below the dam. I had a thread on here of the build I will see if I can find it. Good luck.

This definitely makes me feel better!

Good advice - thank you!