On the D-9, big dozers push lots of dirt in a single pass, sometimes faster than the dirt can be properly compacted. In TX the soil conservation has different shrinkage percentages based on what type of equipment that you are using. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a big heavy piece of equipment will do a great job of compacting. Dozers spread out their weight over a large area, consequently compaction can be an issue. Excavating heavy clay soils usually produces good sized clods, these clods can make voids in the dam. Give mother nature time to work. A year for a new pond/lake to seal is not unusual.

Nick Jones
www.soilmovers.com