Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Anyone Lined a Pond??

I have convinced my father in law to build a pond the only concern that we have is the linner that we should use. Problems are cost and fesability. I am looking for any information that anyone may have on their experiences.

First off -- are you absolutely sure you need one?

If you do decide you need one I got mine from Bend Tarp and Liner. They are quite reasonable and it can be made to your specifications rather than a set size so you only pay for the square footage you need. Mine is only a 1000 gallon Koi pond and my 1/3 of an acre is not lined. Bob

If you do decide you need one I got mine from Bend Tarp and Liner. They are quite reasonable and it can be made to your specifications rather than a set size so you only pay for the square footage you need. Mine is only a 1000 gallon Koi pond and my 1/3 of an acre is not lined. Bob

Matt, Cecil has an excellent thought. I think I would have a soil sample done before I assumed that I needed a liner. As long as you don't hit sand, you will probably be okay.

The problem is that the area of Texas that the pond will be bilt in receives limited rain fall and has a limit of under ground water. So if the current low lying areas do not retain water how would a pond. Also the area in which we will be building the pond has a lot of limestone.

Matt,

You may be right. However, there are other things to consider. If you have limited rainfall are you going to have enough water to fill the pond? If you are considering runoff to fill the pond, is your watershed the right size? I've seen pond hopefuls with a big, big hole in the ground. It's not a pretty sight.

I work in Texas, helping people design, build, stock and manage lakes and ponds. Here's solid advice. Bring someone on site who knows local soils. Find a nearby earthmover, or several, and talk with them. Talk with the closest NRCS district conservationist, and look at soil maps with them. If you get solid, positive information, and your experts are confident your soils have a chance, dig test holes, and look at what lies underground.
If all parties concede and suggest a liner, look in Pond Boss, and call Colorado Lining Company for an estimate.
One point that leapt from your post. My dear friend Mike Otto, lake builder extraordinare, once grabbed me by the collar after a seminar, and while choking me, make a valid point. I had been telling attendees to "find non-porous soils to build a lake". Otto, in his inimitable way, pointed out to me that, "there are no such thing as 'nonporous' soils." He said, "If soils weren't porous, there'd be permanent puddles all over the place." He's right. All soil leaks, so when building a dam, a good earthmoving contractor processes and mixes available soils to create a barrier, to minimize leakage.
So, bottom line is this...check your soils. They will tell you whether or not you need a liner.