Pond Boss
Posted By: longview equipment to seal pond - 11/28/03 01:25 AM
I have gotten some bids to truck in clay to seal my leaking pond. The lowest was $14,000.00 to dig out two feet of soil and replace with clay on my one acre pond. Too expensive for me! I have a local source of bentonite and a small and medium (90 horsepower) farm tractor. What kind of equipment will I need to rent to remove soil from the pond bottom and put in the bentonite seal?

Tell me if this is crazy. I have a harrigator which will loosen the soil down about 4 inches. I could then remove the loosened soil with the blade on my tractor - maybe repeat the process a couple of times to get deep enough to spread the bentonite. I would probably have to do this in stages. Would it be possible to do this in stages - say a 100 foot circle at the bottom first and then working in concentric circles and overlapping the seal?
Posted By: The Commissioner Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/28/03 01:54 PM
I'm thinking this is a job best scheduled during an extended dry spell, if that can be predicted. That's assuming you do it the way you've proposed. I am looking at a similar project for my watershed adjacent to the pond and am envisioning a small dozer to do the excavating. I don't have the steep slopes of a pond to contend with, therefore I won't have to push dirt uphill. Based on your description, I'd rent the small dozer and pay a good operator to do the job and you'll probably get most all the dirt moved in one weekend.
Posted By: ilovefishingmark Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/28/03 05:21 PM
i agree with the commissioner.... i would hire a dozer guy for around 60 bucks an hour (the cost around here) and sounds like for $1000 dollars he could push all the dirt up for you...which you could probably use as rich topsoil..or even sell it if you have enough. i've got a tractor with a front end loader...and trust me...the dozer is an awesome piece of machinery!!! my tractor can't come close to that dozer work!! they can also work in slightly wet soil..they can actually push up mucky soil, which you'd probably have to wait until the heat of summer...which would wear you out on your summer days... would be a well spent 1000 bucks to have a dozer guy do it!! mark
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/28/03 09:47 PM
All the literature I see says to put clay over the present soil or mix and plow in the bentonite into the soil. I think removing the soil is not necessary and adds to the expense.
Posted By: Scott Trava Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/29/03 12:18 AM
It depends on how fine the clay is you might want to add a thicker aggregate or loom to make it easier to doze. Should get a mix of 40% clay and at least a partial till on pond bottom, with min.12" top coat packed in two layers. The sides of the pond should have clay mixture tilled in and then packed and if you have extra run clay up sides..Make sure top has drainage away from pond to prevent errosion while pond is filling. If not tarp sides with plastic untill pond fills.
Depending on how big your pond is you will need a dozer and an Track hoe to do the job right the first time a Tractor will not compact properly.
When filling the pond diffuse water coming in to prevent errossion. I would suggest you tackle this in drier times I think your getting same rains we are.
Good luck
Posted By: Scott Trava Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/29/03 12:23 AM
It is very difficult to work clay in a pond with excess silt and mud should be stable to get proper seal and bond to existing soil
Scott
Posted By: longview Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/29/03 02:00 AM
Thank you all for your good suggestions. The reading I have done on the best way to use bentonite suggest that I am better off removing soil, layering the bentonite, putting half of the soil back, packing, and then repeating the process. It souunds like a lot less work to just rototill it in and then pack it with a sheeps foot. Will I get as good a seal?
Posted By: Scott Trava Re: equipment to seal pond - 11/29/03 01:10 PM
Longview
I have used bentonite on several ponds and would not be able to advise you unless I saw the pond on site. There are many factors before you make the invesment. One of my major factors is ground water around the outside of pond and into pond disturbing the seal. When we apply it up here we mix it with sand wash and apply approx 8" thick to form a big sponge effect. Try to find someone in your area that can come on site and advise you,it might take time to locate someone to do the job right, but same cost to redo job if not done right. There are to many factors to condider unless your on site.

Scott
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