Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Alluvial, stratified soils

We dug five test holes with a backhoe last week and found that the soil is really layered. Basically about a foot of topsoil, on top of a 2' clayey layer, on top of a 2' sandy layer, on top of a 4' clayer layer, which is on top of some coarse water bearing sand. The NRCS agent has advised to stay above the coarse water bearing (read draining in dry weather) sand, excavate and stockpile the clayey materials, and use them for "plating" over the sandy layers in the excavated "bowl". This is an excavated pond in flat terrain, so it will be a bowl, as opposed to a conventional dam. Anyone have experience with this? I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks!

poland_jack,

A couple of points to pass along from my expereince...

First, be sure to build in varying bottom contours...islands under water, ridges, trenches, etc. Anything to change the uniform depth you will have in your approach. I accomplished this with underwater islands in which you simply pile up dirt to the width and height you want....very easy to build and permanent...be smart in where you locate them.

Second, you will need to make very sure your operator, or yourself if you are doing it, does not use any of the sandy soils in the dam or plating areas in your case. You are asking for heartaches and leaks if you are not very careful. It may be very difficult to tell when you transition to a sandy layer vs a clay layer. It will require close attention by the operator.

Having said that, you should have a great pond.