Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Pretty Serious Leak

Hello everyone,

We have a very old (built in 1962) 1.1 acre retired cattle runoff pond and this year began to notice a pretty fast leak in it. Approximately 3-4 inches down the bank per day these past few weeks. I know its not summer evaporation because we live in the upstate of SC where we have been getting more than average 7" precip. a month this summer. Its control structure is an old fashion L pipe through the dam. We also made the mistake of allowing five sweetgum trees to grow nice and large right on the dam.

My question is are these tree's roots causing the leak, and since I cannot see water gushing out the other side of the dam; how do I find the leak and go about trying to stop it?


Thanks so much.
Seth M.



-Recent Clemson U. Grad & aspiring Fisheries Biologist.

I would inspect the pipe for leaks first. It is possible your additional water is just going there. The tree roots will be a larger concern if the tree is killed and the roots rot out leaving a channel.