Hey guys would really like some advice on how best to proceed with leaking dam/pond. I have an acre or so pond with a 200+ ft dam on the entire west side of the pond. Used to have large growth trees on the back side of the dam. Took them out several years ago and plugged a few holes from tree roots. All was good for about three years until I inherited a family or two of muskrats. I used to visit the property only a few times a year but am now much closer so i am at the property weekly. Got rid of the muskrats but water is down aout six feet (normal depth 9-12 ft). I see a few muskrat runs and have filled them with bentonite but still suffer from the leaks. To compound the problem, inside of dam is rip/rap from broken up road asphalt (dont like it but was there when i bought the property) and unable to see behind all the asphalt to find all possible locations of leaks. Here are my questions? Anyway to determine from my description if it would be best to try to fix the dam, or drain it and start over. Also, would it be best to breach the dam or to drain with a pump. Also, any idea how long it would need to be empty before I could get in there with a bobcat/backhoe? Thanks for any advice. By the way, I live in southern illinois if that matters.

Army Rangers Lead the Way...

�You've never lived until you've almost died. For those of us who have fought for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know.� ~ unknown soldier