Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Pond liner or hauling clay?

Plan is to build a 1 acre pond in NE Indiana. I contacted NRCS and obtained a soil survery. It has us listed as MeA which has stratified sand/gravel. I had a test hole dug yrs ago and there was blue clay but also some gravel. Contractor couldn't give me a price estimate as it depended on how much clay was available vs gravel. I don't want a $10,000 hole that doesn't hold water. Options would be to have a pond liner (probably expensive?) or haul in clay and use it to line the pond. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Have you thought about a product called ESS-13. One company I know that uses it is Seepage Control (www.seepagecontrol.com). Give it a look

Investigate your soils more closely. Dig more test holes, different places. Analyze the soil, and try to quantify the amount of clay you have. Compare what you have with what you need, how far it must be moved to create the core, and front side slope. Then, if you don't have enough clay, explore other options.
Do this....dig more test holes, then come back to this site and let us know what you find. Based on those findings, we'll do our best to advise your next step.

I am getting ready to investigate the soil on the property I own. How much do test holes cost. Is it as simple as getting a shovel and digging a hole, or do you have someone come in and drill a bunch of test holes?

Thanks

There's two basic ways. A hand held auger goes down six feet, but a backhoe digs to 12. I prefer a backhoe. Not expensive, very definitive. The more holes you dig, the more information you get. Dig enough holes to learn what you need to learn. Don't like what you see in one spot? Move, and dig again.

Speerd,

Where are you located in Northeast Indiana? I'm two miles sound of a town called Ligonier on St. Rd. 33 in Noble county. I will be digging two more ponds on my property this spring. Lots of heavy clay soil if you want to come and get it! If not, just curious where you are. You can email me too if you prefer.

Cecil

I am new to this site and have been reading everything for the last couple of weeks.

I am also located in Northern Indiana..... I-65 and US 24. I will be digging my test holes next week, but lookin at a soil map I may be needing some clay. Is it still available and could we possibly work something out.

The NRCS department thinks the land will hold but according to their soil book, the soil is labled Wm. It shows a clay content 2-10%. The conservationist thinks the area will hold water though, as it is wet for 8 months out of the year as it sits right now. Guess the only way to tell is to dig some holes and get a better look.

I just had 5 test holes dug by a hired backhoe contractor. Cost $55/hour. All 10' deep, and we were done in 3 hours. Well worth it.

And if you've got much clay at all you should be able to line your pond with it.