Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations 6 mil Plastic Liner

Has anyone tried this? I have a 4000 sq ft pond that doesn't hold water at all. We had 3 inches of rain and all I got was mud in the bottom. I was told by a friend that I could dig the pond out, and lay some 6 mil plastic in the bottom and then bury it with about 8-10 inches of dirt. I would like to put some fish in it, but not until I know it's going to hold water. I need the pond for watering my animals: Sheep, Goats, and Deer.
Will putting the plastic down last very long. Or will I be redoing this again next year. The reason I ask about plastic is because Bentonite Clay will be very expensive to have trucked in to my ranches location. Thats if they could even get to the pond site.
Thanks in Advance. Muddy in South Texas

Troy,

As long as you don't tear it or puncture it, it should work. At least this is what I have been told by a consultant and I did try 4 mil greenhouse plastic. However I accidentally punctured mine and has a slow leak.

If you are going to go to all that trouble I would go ahead and get 25 mil pond liner. I used it in my Koi pond and has worked great. I got mine from Bend Tarp and Liner believe it was about .30 a square ft.

I think Bob is right. If you can afford it I would go with a pond liner. Sometimes trying to save money is a bad idea.

I have been told that livestock are notorious for puncturing liners with their hooves. I think I would fence it and then run water to an area at the back of the dam.

Thank you, all for your advice. I will check into that site you recommended. The fence idea is also good advice, and I will do that. It's nice to know there are people out there, willing to help with good ideas. If anyone else has some good sound advice, I am all ears. I need to get this pond to work, as inexpensive as possible.
Thanks again and have a great 4th.

Troy-I used 6 ml in my pond and have zero problems. I also added 1 foot of topsoil to cover it. If livestock or wildlife will be watering in the pond you may have a problem. My two daughters swim on one end, and with the soil and the bouyancy when in the water you can't penetrate the plastic. I believe a 50 ft wide by 100 ft long piece runs arround $100.00. I checked into the 25 ml stuff and you need to own a bank to afford it. I would do as suggested, run a hot wire arround it near the edge and the deer won't jump it. If you have a dam you can do as suggested, if not you can do as i have and run a drain at the low spot for watering.

jd