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Originally posted by Brettski:
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I hope you will show a picture of it when it is cored. There have been many questions regarding coring. I've never found the words to adequately explain it. In this case, a picture really would be worth 1,000 words.

Although the man in the dozer can respond most accurately, I believe the core for this project remains an unknown until he gets down to the subsoil at the base of the dam. TnHB has participated in other threads with myself and the PB community, exchanging engineering input to this regard. I recall his posture as "core only when the subsoil requires it. If the foundation is suitable clay, scarify the surface and go up from there, compacting as required". Lusk agrees as do I (took me awhile, but I'm on board). No doubt an existing dam would not require coring IF it shows no signs of breach...BUT...the tree roots he is extracting from the top dam mass may have compromised the soil below grade.
So, TnHB...what's the prognosis? Are ya gonna open 'er up?
It may be true that a core is not required if there is enough clay, however, many contracters fail to compact the soil every 6 inches as they build the dam. (Thats what's required according to a pond engineering book I have).

I actually had one contracter compact the dam on one of my ponds AFTER he had piled it 8 feet high. Not much compaction going on when you've piled it that deep even with a sheepsfoot roller and a heavy piece of equipment. I have enough clay in my soil to make pottery, but the dam does seep underneath a little to this day.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.