DD1, we're building another 1/2 - 3/4 acre pond in an area with good clay content.
I guess I need to do more soil sampling in the 5 acre site. I'm starting to think that maybe there is a layer of sandy soil covering soils with more clay. The draws stopped flowing several months ago because of drought, but a few weeks ago there was still a puddle of standing water in a hole that looked over 12" deep. I'm going to have a look today and see if it's still wet.
The creek that the two draws flow into might give more clues. It's in the same zone in the survey. The surface soils around the creek drain extremely fast. The creek itself has cut vertical banks of about 4 feet. This creek has only stopped twice in 50 years, now and last summer. BUT, even after stopping for several dry months it has never dried up completely. It is always at least a series of puddles. I'd even say it maintains more water area than dry. So, the creek bed must be sitting on something fairly watertight, yes?
Maybe the pond builder is counting on finding clay deeper, in the middle of the site, and pushing it up the banks to seal them. Does that make sense?
Thanks.
