Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Want to dig own pond...

tripcrown - the dam Dave was talking about was as in a dam across a ravine or small valley or stream. Then the pond basin is enlarged and shaped. I think you are thinking about making what we call a dug pond; making a hole in the ground tha hopefully holds water.

The thing you have to keep inmind is if you do not have a constant supply of water your "hole" / pond will have to be pretty water tight. This is the key point to a good vs bad pond, water tight.

Good water tight dug ponds are built with layers of clay that has been packed tight at least 2 feet thick all around the bottom and side walls. The best pond builders in NW Ohio build dug ponds by removing all topsoil then make the walls eight feet thick (bull dozer blade wide) of packed clay. They don't just dig a hole and hope it holds water.