Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam planting trees along dam

I have a 3 to 4 ac pond that was built 10 years ago by a previous property owner. The dam is about 800 feet long and now has a couple small (5')pine trees planted along the inside wall. Should trees be planted on the dam or could they lead to leaks. If they could be of advantage what would be a good type to plant. I would hate to grow somthing that will blow down and allow a hole in the wall. The dam appears to be well built and there are no signs of leakage now. I live in north east PA.

The operator who helped build my 3 acre pond told me the worst thing you can do is allow trees to grow on your dam...especially pine trees. The wind blowing the trees lossens the soil around the roots which can lead to structural damage. My operator said that most all of his dam repair jobs are the result of trees growing on the dam.

I suspected that it would lead to trouble with the root system of pines so they will come down A.S.A.P.

I guess that no trees would be the best.

Thanks

haveing trees grow any NEAR the damm is a big NO NO remove ALL trees within 50' of the dam....

my 2 cents.. we aquired property with 4 lakes. and trees on every damn (cedar, pine, berry bushes, etc..).back side/ front side~. and it could be luck, but we have'nt had any ill effect with these on the damn..(i'm no saying plant trees in anyway..i would never question the pros on this site, "as i'm still wet behind the ears, )BUT, some of the pines you could'nt get your arms around!.. but again.. i might be diggin my grave now, by posting this... the oldest lake is about 50yrs, and the youngest i'd say 20yrs.

just wanted to add my crappy dull colored pennies!

chris

The rule of thumb is any existing trees 6" or less in diameter should be removed.

Trees do not live forever. When they die the rotting roots can cause severe problems. They tend to grow toward water & leave a tunnel for water to penetrate the dam when they die.

I have heard of people planting trees like dogwoods which have surface roots only with success but it's your call.

I have a 20'diameter maple that is smack dab in the middle of my dam. I know it is eventually going to cause me a major headache but short of cutting the dam there is nothing I can do. I also have some smaller trees on the back side of the dam, smaller than the 5inches that Ric mentioned that I am thinking of taking out. My concern is that the roots may have already made a tunnel through the dam. Should I leave them or cut them down?

I wish I had heard the experts first. My 40 year old 1/2 acre pond has a 200' foot dam, 17' high.
We cleaned all around it but should have left the trees on the dam. Now the water is about gone and I'm hoping to find Bentonite or some other material to stop the leaking.

Sorry to hear that Buck. How much water is left? How long ago did you take out the trees?

The level is now down to the horizontal drain line. I first suspected that it was leaking, but the leaks are from the tree roots It took one year for the roots to rot enough to start the leaks. Then it went down in one week.
Twelve hours of cleaning around the pond to increase water level from 6' to hopefully 14',has turned into a knee deep pond. Also the cranes and herons have moved in to eat all my fish. They are protected of course.

Let me ask the experts in advance this time.
I'm thinking of getting a trench dug on the inside of the dam. Say from the high water line or overflow level,down 10 or 12' and back filling that with new clay. I have both red and blue clay on site. Someone posted that thought but I didn't see a reply.
What do you think?
If it works, I could be full in about a year.

Buck,
Seek on site help. Start with Natural Resources Conservation Service, your local office. They have regional engineers on staff who should be able to help design a plan to rehab your dam properly.
I expect it will take more than a trench, and I would want the confidence of an engineer. Your dam will only be as strong as its weakest link. A trench may only be a bandaid.
A properly backfilled trench may certainly stop the leakage, but keep in mind you are trying to impound 8 more feet of water than what you previously had. That's lots of pressure and weight on an already weakened dam.
Get a pro on site.