Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Potential Pond Leak?

We had a 3/4 acre pond dug out in August 2010. After some gains and losses in level (it never actually filled all the way, maybe 4 ft. in the bowl), we realized there was a leak and plugged it with bentonite and more clay. After the driest summer in most recent years, we finally had some movement and now have more water than ever (again, not filled yet). Probably 6 - 8 feet at the deeper end and maybe 2 -3 in the shallow end...however, the water has still not completely covered the entire bottom of the pond, but it is holding at this point. My question is...there is an extremely thick layer of ice covering the top of the pond. We have had some snow/melt off and there are two french drains still feeding the pond on an irregular basis. We haven't had any movement in the water level since it froze over, even though water is still getting into the pond on occasion. We haven't found any noticeable "wet spots" on the outer dam area either. We did break up some huge ice chunks at the shallow end to possibly alleviate the pressure and allow any new water to continue moving/filling the shallowest area of the pond that has yet to get water.

This is a run off pond (no springs). However, the soil is mostly clay and blue clay.

Should we be concerned that there is a new leak somewhere or is it normal not to see any gains because of the thick ice topping the pond? Thank you!

Franklinville welcome to the PB forum, there's probably not much you can do till later in the spring, since it was a dry summer and your pond never filled since you fixed the leak maybe the ground has not saturated enough, best thing is keep a close eye on it till after the spring run off, sometimes it takes a pond a few years to stabilize.

Thanks. We have been told that, but we were wondering if anyone has atually experienced the same thing (or something similar). I guess it's a learning experience

looks like this could be a problem for years to come. Area is known to have a lot of shale, do you have a lot there, any pics?