Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Leak around stand pipe

I have a good size hole in my damm around the exit side of an old stand pipe which is no longer in use. I could see water bubbling from around it and took a good look. I discovered a hole so deep that i couldn't reach the bottom with a shovel. I have a siphon system that replaced the stand pipe. The water has lowered enough so that it has lost suction. The pipe appears to be in good shape. I think the leak is around the pipe and not from it. Any suggestions on how to deal with this? Thanks in advance.

ponddreamer,

I think I would get a civil engineer out as soon as possible to look at it. The integrity of your dam may be in question and downstream concerns may be pertinent.

Your problem is exactly why I am not a fan of stand pipes and would never have one...or anything artificial in an earthen dam.

The repair measures are drastic, sorry to say, much like starting all over. Hopefully, an engineer will find a less drastic solution for you.

ponddreamer,

Do you know who performed the original repairs when the siphon system was installed? I think that would be one of my first calls.

In any case, a large cavity on the backside of the dam sounds like the original patch didn�t hold and may need to be re-done or replaced entirely. If done correctly, you can replace the section of the dam with problems or perhaps do a partial dig thru the dam and then pack back out with clay.

You wont �really� know until you dig it up (IMO).

Gator

Thanks for the input. I called the two outfits that do pond repairs in the area and both said they didn't replace the stand pipe. No surprise there. An evaluation will be made later this week to see what I have to do. I bet it won't be cheap.

ponddreamer,

A request...please let us know how this turns out. You may have a "case" history which will contribute valuable information to those contemplating the use of stand pipes in their ponds. At least, your problems could be used to help someone else, if not in your specific case. Thanks.

ponddreamer,

How big is your pond?

If you have a sizable investment in your pond, it may make sense to spend a little extra for an engineer to look at the problem before you make the repair. An experienced contractor can also fill that role.

Although the thought of making repairs to the dam can seem intimidating, it's just dirt. Granted it has to be done correctly (as evidenced by the current repair) but at the end of the day - someone has to "move" dirt around to fix the problem. They will likely want to drain the pond, dig up the stand pipe area, fill and pack the excavated area then let the pond fill up - not all that complicated for a person with the right experience and equipment.

I had a similar repair to my dam this year. I was AMAZED how complicated a couple of the contractors made the repair seem. They made it sound like a big job and they also wanted BIG $ - up to 5 times the price of the contractor I choose. It pays to shop around.