Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions Pond leaking

I have a pond that has a leak. I'm not sure but feel the leak is in the vicinity of the overflow pipe. Should I pull the pond down this fall and try to seal the area with benonite clay and then use a liner around the area. I don't want to drain the pond completely because the fish population is in good shape. What are my options and where can I get the most cost effective supplies to fix the problem?

RufusCatfish

Rufus Catfish,

Yes, I would try less drastic measures first. I had a leak in an overflow pipe too. My contractor did not even put a collar around the pipe and it was just a matter of time before the water worked around the pipe. If your overflow pipe is just a simple horizontal pipe and at the waterline I would dig it up, fill in and pack the earth down and put in an above ground overflow consisting of rock rip rap possibly funneling into a pipe that is above ground. It's known as an emergency overflow in some circles but it is foolproof and trouble free compared to a pipe underground. This is what I have on my warmwater pond and lined with landcaping size stone it works like a champ.

Pottsy,
How did your leak fix turn out? Got any suggestions for RufusC ?
Ric

Still working on my leak, have it slowed but I am playing the waiting game as the water recedes and I wait for more bentonite. (I figured waiting a month the first time for delivery was a fluke... I was wrong).

Certainly if the pipe is not collared it makes sense to dig it up as no matter how much bentonite you pack around it eventually it will get past. I filled in my outflow pipe and buried the inlet for it as I just didn't trust it after the ice shifted it. Now I have built an emergency spillway that has 4 - 2 inch pipes running underneath a well grassed spillway dropping onto a rock 'staircase'. Of course I rushed to build it and now the rainy season is over...