Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations replacing trickle tube

We bought a place a few years ago with a nice 1 1/4 acre pond. The trickle tube had failed and wahed out a pretty big hole in the dam close to the water line. The guy we bought the place had that end of the tube ripped out and refilled the hole with dirt. No problem with that but now when we get heavy rains all the water runs out around the dam takin with it a lot of the stocked fish I put in there. I would like to replace the trickle tube but am concerned about getting the soil packed back in tight enough to keep from having another wash out problem. I have access to pipe and a mini excavator. Would a seep collar have prevented the original problem? Just want to keep my fish in the pond and momma won't let me buy more till I get the problem corrected. Any and all responses would be appreciated including alternatives. Thanks in advance.

not sure about your soils in this part of the country but i put my overflow pipe in after my 5 acre lake filled up.we dug in the levee and layed the pipe and filled dirt in and we have had no problems with it leaking.

Go ahead and do it. Excavate, lay pipe by hand. Anti-seep collars are a good idea, but handpacking tight clay soils around the pipe is essential. Compact, compact, compact. Leave no gaps in your soil. If you do it correctly, you will give your pond an advantage by managing excess water flow properly.
If it's any comfort, you probably aren't losing many fish through your current overflow. Fish like to find a home, and stay there. Only young of the year, tiny fish, tend to leave, because they usually stay shallow...to keep from being eaten.

Doug what part of Kansas are you from?