[font:Arial]This forum is remarkable. I've been reading posts, dreaming, and saving for 4 years. Now that my new pond is finished but empty, I hope someone can help me out. The pond was built to stop an enormous head cut that was proceeding up my hay meadow (NRCS calls it a grade stabilization). We knew there was water underground because it came out on the face of the head cut, and it came up part way in the test bore holes.

The contractor hit sand and wet areas while digging the pond. He said not to worry, it's not uncommon. He'd mix up some clay, push it over the wet areas and pack it down. They were using D6 dozers. I asked about using a sheep foot roller, but he said he's been building ponds for 30+ years and never used one. This is a large company with good references and a long local history. They've been great to work with.

I thought the pond would be dry when he was finished, but water appeared the day after he left. We haven't had any rain for about 6 weeks. Now there's about 18" of water in the bottom of the pond, and the level is stable. There's also a wet area along one side of the pond that's about 60' long by 10' wide.

I've read posts that said always use a roller, but some also said listen to the guy that's had his feet in the local dirt for decades. It would seem to me that if water has come in and stabilized, then water will go out the same path. I trust the contractor, but the longer I stare at that water and wet clay, the more worried I get. I can wait to see what happens, but I would think it will be a lot more difficult, expensive, and messy to fix after the pond has filled than it would be to fix it now.

So here are my questions: Is this a common occurance? Do ponds ever seal up once they fill? Do the indications warrant spending the money to call someone in with a roller before the pond fills? Or should I just grab a cool one, relax, and stay away from the pond until the rain comes.

I would truly appreciate thoughts and suggestions from the members here. Thank you!