Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,059
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,407
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
17 members (bstone261, FishinRod, jpsdad, emactxag, Ron crismon, Dave Davidson1, Saratznj, Donatello, Layne, Freg, Sunil, tws3, rjackson, jludwig, Shorthose, DenaTroyer, Theo Gallus), 681 guests, and 162 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Thread Like Summary
FishinRod
Total Likes: 2
Original Post (Thread Starter)
by FishinRod
FishinRod
I have a mix of sandy loam, loam, and clay loam soils in the location for our new ponds. There is also pure blue clay about 6-8' deep.

I intend to build some forage ponds above grade that will be drained and allowed to dry over the winter.

I originally thought my blue clay would be awesome for sealing these ponds. I now realize the pure clay will almost certainly crack when the ponds dry out and then cause leaks on the next fill cycle.

I am trying to determine the best material to use for these embankment type ponds.

Here is what my trusty resource (Agriculture Handbook Number 590: Ponds - Planning, Design, and Construction) says:

Suitability of a pond site depends on the ability of the soils in the reservoir area to hold water. The soil should contain a layer of material that is impervious and thick enough to prevent excessive seepage. Clays and silty clays are excellent for this purpose; sandy and gravelly clays are usually satisfactory. Generally, soils with at least 20 percent passing the No. 200 sieve, a Plasticity Index of more than 10 percent, and an undisturbed thickness of at least 3 feet do not have excessive seepage when the water depth is less than 10 feet.

In other portions, they state that material with a good mix of grain sizes and 10% clay is sufficient to seal a pond with good compaction. A clay blanket to seal over permeable material should have at least a 20% clay content.

Are there still any "dirt guys" on the forum that know what clay% would be most suitable for embankments/berms that need to be capable of holding water, but not cracking when allowed to dry?

Thanks,
FishinRod
Liked Replies
by teehjaeh57
teehjaeh57
Yes, per Cody if you see signs of parasitic or bacterial infection probably a wise course of action to allow cells to remain fallow over Winter after you identify the origin of the issue. Knock on wood I've never experienced any issues in my forage or grow out cells with infections. I've had a forage cell fallow all Fall and Winter and it's still very soft/moist in basin and sidewalls yet this Spring. I can only safely walk on the top 1/3 of sidewalls, everything else is still mucky. I think the layers of organic material and silt provides a blanket keeping clay moist and expanded...the only positive spin I can put on eutrophication process! I plan on filling next week and starting to fertilize to get blooms kicking. Still not sure what I'll be raising there - just setting the stage for whatever project interests me. I harbor zero concerns with leaks originating from leaving pond dry over Fall and Winter.
1 member likes this
by Dave Davidson1
Dave Davidson1
I also have Mikes book and his discussion about plasticity of clay. He says his most used test is getting one of the grandkids to make a ball out of the soil. Then throw it against the side of his pickup. If it sticks, start the dozer.
1 member likes this
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by jpsdad - 03/28/24 08:04 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by jpsdad - 03/28/24 07:40 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 07:28 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:17 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by Bill Cody - 03/27/24 10:18 AM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by esshup - 03/26/24 10:00 PM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5