Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site expanding pond size

Thanks Snrub.

There is no doubt my pond leaks now. After digging thru 4 or 5 feet of top soil there is about a 2 to 5 foot band of river rock, 8 to 20 inch boulders and sand. Below that is clay. The good news is the water leaks into the pond, not out. Water table here fluctuates between 2 to 3 feet below grade thru the year. Sitting on a giant aquifer. Trying to keep ahead of the water when I dug the first part of the pond was a challenge. Needed two 3 inch pumps to get ahead of the flow coming in(about 36000 gph). Pumps only ran 3 to 4 hours before they would run out of gas.

Pumping down the exiting pond is not an option so, it sounds like the way to go is dig the addition first, keeping it pumped down as we dig, and then letting it fill. What do you think, break down the barrier right away or let the new addition settle out first?