Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Leaky Pond Almost Done

As many of you know I have struggled with my 5 year old pond leaking. It was 17 feet at the dam and was beautiful when full. However, by the end of summer it was always 4 to 5 feet low. I have tried to fix it without good results. I finally bit the bullet and with the help and expertise of JBryant and his crew drained the pond and transplanted most of the adult LMB and BG to a smaller 1/2 pond right next to the big pond.

A good source of clay was found on-site so JB put 4 feet or so of clay mixed with bentonite in 6" lifts on the bottom and compacted it all with a sheepsfoot roller. It is almost done. There were numerous issues discovered with the original construction that probably doomed my pond from the beginning.

I will post a few pics of the before-when totally full, the end of season when leaking had taken over and the renovation. I don't know how to get all the pics in one frame so I will do my best.

BTW, the fish seem to be holding up OK in the little shallow pond (4'0 deep) with no cover and the high temps we are having. Thank God for a little rain and relief today.

Pond being drained

Bottom being lined with clay and bentonite

Dam is rebuilt and bottom lined. Still need to do some grading at head of the pond.

Looking towards upper end.

Thats a fimilar picture, I spread 12,000 pounds of Bentonite yesterday and heading out the door shortly to till it in and pack it. Actually half of this is already tilled in and put more dirt on top of it and now need to till and pack that today. Tihs is in addition to 6000 pounds done last Monday beofre the rains on the south side of the pond. Will post pics later today

Lassig, are you renovating your pond or building a new one? Mine is 5 years old but would always draw down about 4-5 feet in the fall. I had springs in the bottom, a 6" PVC pipe that was abandoned during the original construction and it was never lined right or compacted properly.

Trying to get the pond I built last summer to hold more than 6' of water. It is suppose to be 16' deep. With all the rain we have had in west central IL since it was built it should of filled a couple of time. It leaks 2 - 4" at day, more the fuller it is. I will be updating the thread on my pond shortly, take at look here

Congrats on the progress, Mark. What a shame to have to go through all of that, but here's to hoping it works this time. That first picture of when it was full is absolutely beautiful! What a great looking place. I know you've posted on this before, but how big is it when full?

Again, congrats on closing in on completion. I pulling for you big time that it works this time around!

Todd, it is 2.14 acres full. Went there today and they are placing trees on the bottom for structure. I am really optimistic that JBryant and co. have it under control and know what they are doing. Can't wait to restock and move the transplanted fish back.

My ultimate goal is to build a house that overlooks this pond. I just had to get the pond right first before i comitted to build the house on this property.