Thanks Bill..............based on the information you have provided and reading other articles on this forum I insisted my contractor compact the clay. He builds many ponds in Michigan mostly of the groundwater variety and admits he doesn't have a ton of experience with clay lined ponds. He feels it should still be ok but as your article states compacting will provide additional insurance. Based on our conversation he has been able to locate a sheepsfoot roller.
A couple of questions:
1) should the gray clay be mixed/ If so how?
2) should sand/spoils be layered over the clay once it is compacted?
3) he was planning on 12" of clay layer, is that adequate?
4) any issues completing this task in the dead of a Michigan winter at below freezing temperatures?
5) pros and cons of digging to 20-25' versus the inital plan of 15'?
6) special considerations for gray clay? The locals have told me its like working with toothpaste
Thanks for your help.....
