When we laid pipe in the ground, (I'm talking heavy clay soil here) we'd surround it with sand then the clay. It made digging it up for any repairs in the future a bit easier.

At least you can dig in the soil. Up here, in another week the ground will be froze solid for probably at least the first 6", maybe more......

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).