Good comments by FishinRod. In addition.
1. If it was my pond I would want the clay bottom as smooth as possible. If it were mine I would not put soil on top of the clay. Soil will also contribute to muddy water conditions, more water fertility nutrients, more early growth of algae due to more fertility nutrients in soil vs clay. . A smooth bottom is a sign of well compacted tightly sealed clay. Tracks in the bottom layer suggest, IMO just suggests, to me to indicate the clay was not well compacted. The smoother the bottom is IMO this means hard well compaction. Quality of compaction really depends on as FRod says moisture content of the clay and type of equipment used for compaction. Dozers and skid steers are not compaction machines, they are designed to float and not sink into the ground,. Good equipment operators should know this fact.
Your question. "4) Should something go under the packed clay? I think its called compaction or something?" I am not sure what you mean by this question. Compaction is a process where clay layers are forced together to make a thicker blanket clay layer. Ideally the individual clay layers are knitted together so water is less likely to seep between the clay layers. For a clay liner or seal,, layers of clay (often each 4"-6" thick and called lifts are sequentially compacted on top of the first lift compacted layer that is worked into the more lose soil below the 1st clay lift. The more lifts are added and compacted together as one thick unit.
3. I agree fill the pond asap to overflow level then watch how fast the water level drops. The longer the banks stay dry the more they can dry out and then cracks form in the clay liner. When the cracks later water gets on top of them the crack is a crack and not a well mended together area as originally created & tight compacted. Cracks are not compacted when they fill with water and eventually lose sediment.
I think if the pond receives 3/4"-1" of rain each month,,,, 'generally' the pond should stay at full top level if it is a very well sealed pond. All clay/ dirt ponds leak. The degree of leakage indicates how well they are sealed. In breezy hot dry 85F-90F temps and no rain,,, evaporation can be up to 1/4"-1/2" per day up to 3" per week. The degree or amount of evaporation is called pan evaporation i.e. amount of water that evaporated per day in a pan of water.
4. If the pond does not have a swim beach, (often 4:1 or 5:1 slope) and all sides are steep sided 3:1 slope then a beach entry area can be made. Just back up a truck loaded with sand or pea gravel to the pond and dump it at the shoreline where you want a beach. Then manually work the material into the pond as wide as the pile of material. Over time the material with usage will work further and further deeper down the pond bank.
5. As the clay bottom remains underwater it gradually becomes softer and softer and less slippery. IMO the softness allows one to get some traction to climb out and back to the water's edge.
6. Water shed runoff into the pond will contain suspended dirt and clay - natural erosion. Water draining into the pond from the watershed helps fill the pond with excess rain water. This is why the watershed area should get planted to a thick grassy like cover crop asap.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/28/24 08:38 PM.
