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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7 |
We are digging out a once started lake. Today we dug a test hole and at about 18 feet deep water started to bubble out and the next few buckets was coarse gray sand with small pieces of coal mixed in it. The hole started to fill up slowly with water. Everything previous up until this point is excellent clay. 18 feet was roughly the depth we planned to dig the pond. The big question is do we dig down to the sand and water level or should we stay up at least 2 feet from the sand and water and call it good enough? We drained some excess surface water down into the test hole and filled the entire hole up to see how much it will drain down in a few days. If it doesnt drain down much would that be a good enough test to see if it will hold water? EDIT: Here is a link to a video showing the pond. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Qd7UGa_WE
Last edited by bummer; 09/10/09 11:24 PM.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,973 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,973 Likes: 276 |
Howdy, bummer.
You hit sand and coal. Bummer.
Stay above the sand layer. Aim for at least 2' of good clay between your pond water and the sand. If you hit the sand somewhere while digging, pack it off with 2 feet of compacted clay (hard to do when it is wet, I know from experience).
The sand that oozes water out today will suck you pond water in tomorrow. Holding water at less than 18 feet is better than an 18 foot hole that won't hold 18 feet of water when ground water levels have dropped, taking your pond with them.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,086
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
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Hi Bummer,welcome to the forum.Im not an expert,just one of the lowly members lurking around here.But I think Theo is absolutely correct.A spring is great until the water table drops and sucks your pond dry,breaking your heart and killing all your fish.
I subscribe Some days you get the dog,and some days he gets you.Every dog has his day,and sometimes he has two!
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,365
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,365 |
Hi Bummer,
Welcome! Great pond, great toys, great tour! Thanks for the film clip, and best of luck with your project!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7 |
Thanks everyone for the comments! We will cap off the sand areas with clay as you guys recommend. I will also report back here with any news and once the lake is done I will try to get some more video. Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Smart. Picking up the grease gun before starting to work. Dang, I'm jealous.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
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bummer Welcome to the show
General Theo is right do not take the chance 15 feet is deep enough.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
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General Theo is right do not take the chance 15 feet is deep enough. Theo was promoted to General? Great, I guess now we have to salute him and whatnot.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,973 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,973 Likes: 276 |
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7 |
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10 |
would like to ask, im in the dreaming phase of a pond. while i am reading these answers, it makes me wonder , to dig past the sand. and end up with a spring. if he does that. cant a person just hook up a pump or windmill to raise the water level when it drops. where i live, the water table fluctuates, but doesnt dry up, im within a half mile from a large river, and i want to dig as deep as i can. i know i will hit sand and water before 18 feet. what do the experts say about digging past the sand and using a windmill for a pump?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10 |
also, im considering putting in a artesian , but not sure of the local laws concerning it. i heard you have to cap off if you hit artesian spring. wondering about the feesibility of that.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Once you hit sand and water you have gone too deep. Trying to fill it from a well is like running water into a bathtub with drain open.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10 |
thanks dave, makes sense.
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