Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions Leaking pond in Kentucky

I had a pond dug last November.. It is about 1/4 acreor so.. 100x100 6 foot deep approx.. The pond is leaking.. It would fill up and be empty in less then 7 days... We done some investagating and found water coming out of the ground about 1/8 mile down from it in a creek.. I put some blue dye and and the water in the creek turned blue in a day or so.. It has been full 5 time's.. I was told from some local people to put bentonite in it.. I poured 30 bags over it while it had water in it.. I was told that it would draw to the leake and stop it.. Well guess what??? It didnt 300 bucks wasted.. About 6 weeks ago it was dry enough that I was able to get in there and walk around to check out the bottom.. I noticed 6 hole constrated in maybe a 25 foot square area.. I retilled the bottom of the pond at about 6-8 inches deep and repacked it.. I didnt think it would help but knew that it wouldnt hurt.. We got a big rain the next day and it was full again and still leaking.. It was dry enough again last weekend that I got in an looked and the 6 holes were back inthe same place.. I assume that this is where my pond is leaking.. I put 25 more bags of bentonite over that 25 foot area got another rain and it has fallen 6 inches in the last 4 days.. It was approx 3 inches thick an I did fill the holes up as well...

Now what else can I do??? Can I dig that area out and try to repack it when it drys out again.. Can I try and line that area or what can I do.. Sorry for such a lengthy description but I want all the details.. Thanks in advance...... Michael

Bonkers, welcome to the forum!

I had a similar problem that first brought ME to this forum. The original guy that built my pond was great at moving dirt and collecting pay, but didn't know squat about ponds! Of course, neither did I! He refused to take care of the problem.

I contacted the local NRCS agent at the USDA office, and he helped me get a GOOD builder and even supervised the repair.

You will probably be better off money wise to re-work and THOROUGHLY compact the entire pool area!

If your operator is concerned about his reputation, he will do it for you on his dime, but try to give him enough extra work to cover fuel charges if he does.

First ask him to come look at what you found and be nice to see if he offers to repair it.

Either way, contact the NRCS agent! I found out my guy had eleven ponds repaired the previous year. I sure wish I knew then what I do now!

Best of luck and don't get too bummed out.

Again, welcome! We sure hope you join the gang even after your problem is solved!

The guy has been back here looking at it..He doesnt understand why its leaking.. He thinks there is a vein undergound letting the water leak.. I didnt want it over 6 foot deep cause I WAS going to stock it with KOI..I have slowed it down alot with the bentonite but it leaks..