Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? New property with pond is dry

Hi,

I'm in the process of buying some land around Houston, TX. The property include a pond about 1/2 acre in size. Pictures from the pond were taking around April this year. The pond was almost full (7 or 8 ft deep), I went to the pond for the first time around September and was only 1-2 feed!. By Late October it was dry. I don't have access to the property yet, I will be moving there December 1st. The owner said the pond is 4 years old, and this is the first time that it has been dry. It's feed only by rain water. It has been very dry this year.
Any suggestions as to what to look for? Do you think is possible to lose that much water in 6 months? or do you think the bottom of the pond was not properly sealed and is leaking water into the reservoir?.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase TAVO!!

I'll leave more specific answers to your problem for the many Texans to answer. I can say if a leak does need repairs, you can expect renovation costs to be around 20K....figure that into your purchase!

I second what Rainman said. If the pond was a feature of the property (in other words the fact that the property had a pond became part of the purchase decision) then I would have the pond looked at by a professional.

I don't know anything about Texas (except for the fact that I have friends there and the state is huge) but in California you can lose 7 to 8 feet of water just through evaporation during the dry months (in Northern California that is typically May through October). So in Northern California you must plan for that level of evaporation.

The loss could be due to an improperly sealed pond, inadequate watershed, evaporation, leaking dam, or a combination of these factors and probably several other things that I can't think of.

Hang on for expert feedback (as opposed to my idol speculation).

Welcome to Pond Boss, we're glad you found us.

The pond was not the reason to buy the property, but is becoming a little more important after reading this site!. This pond thing is addictive!, even before you have it!!..

Howdy, from a fellow Texan. Pond levels can vary greatly in Texas just like anywhere else in the country. In my part of the state, northeast of Houston, there are ponds down 10 feet. But then there are ponds like mine that are down only a foot. It has been very dry with little rainfall. Ours has a good watershed, springs, and is sealed well. Been there 30 years.

I'm no expert, but I would advise a consulting engineer come out to give you a survey. It may not cost you that much for a few hours of their time to give you ideas and help you plan for the future.

And you're right, this 'pond thing' is VERY addictive. But fun!

Going from full to dry in 6 months sounds more like a leak to me. I would be questioning the never gone dry before statement.