Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help new pond not done but keeps filling up.

Ok letme see how I can get into this , well i bought my house about three years ago in southern missouri. it had a perect place for a pond or lake ,It allready had existing pond but was small and of coarse i wanted it bigger We have been messing with this pond for years sell a little dirt here give some away use some. well this year i ran add in papper dirt for sale and a guy called and said he wanted it all and said he would dig the pond for the dirt Well it still isnt done but is getting close its about 2 or 3 acres well anyway it filled up 4 times this summer and the longest it ever held was now its still holding some but it goes down about a foot everyday till empty,wich i guess is good because we have more digging to do, Well my nieghbor told me he used to live here and that the pond was once a good fishing hole then it got a sinkhole and all but dried up can this be fixed or is it out of my reach,i cant tell where the sink hole was or is and its really bothering me,The old man thats digging the pond says to be patient he thinks it will hold .I guess ill have to wait till summer to get started again any feedback would be more that welcome thanks ,and this place is great and so are the people thanks again

Welcome, Sack21! You'll definitely get answers from the dirt experts here, but be prepared for a lot of questions first to help diagnose as well as can be done via the Internet!

I'm a novice as well, but I've learned that it's not uncommon for new ponds to lose water consistently to some extent until the ground has become primed with enough moisture to stop absorbing your pond water. I don't know, but the fact that you've essentially gotten a new pond every time you've had excavation done could be part of it. Still, if it is draining to completely empty, I don't think that's your issue.

Another angle could certainly be related to the composition of your soil and its ability to hold water long term. If it doesn't have enough clay, you may just be looking at a drainage pit. Testing the composition would be a big help in determining what you have going on, I'd think.

Of course, a sinkhole could be a big issue, but it would seem you'd see some surface evidence of a sinkhole to tip you off unless it was directly below your pond. Even so, a sinkhole can be a pretty substantial geological feature and, if big enough, could be something your local conservation or natural resources office is aware of. That may be a resource for starting to investigate that angle.

Of course, the best bet is likely to find an experienced excavator, preferably one with good knowledge of pond construction.

Many here here will have suggestions I'm sure, so stick around and wait for the cavalry!

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My main concern about your situation is that whoever is doing the work remains as interested in properly building the pond as they were in removing the topsoil. I'd be particularly focused on ensuring that you have enough clay to adequately line the pond, that you don't have any major exposed rock ledges (very common around West Plains) or gravel seams, and that you get it dry enough to actually work on the lining. Assuming they can get access, a good dirt contractor will be able to tell if there is a significant "sinkhole" within the pond basin. The real issue is finding a way to get the "hole" dried out while you construct/reconstruct. If nothing else, you might consider pumping. If I had any major doubts, I might have another contractor come out and offer an opinion.

P.S. It's not surprising your water level shot up before completion. My pond was nearing completion last month; it is located near you. We had enough rain at my site in about a week in October to completely fill a flat-bottom five gallon bucket sitting in an open field. My pond almost filled even with an open six-inch pipe draining through the dam.

I dont have an recent pictures of the pond but the dam is done and all the sides are done except for one corner and as far as the clay goes it is good linning clay i think what i really need is compaction I talk to the guy digging it and he said he thinks he knows where the hole is but it will be next year before we will be able to get at it,The pond will go down so far then it holds so it has to be at the edge of the old pond. As far as draining it, the soil drys out fast in summer just have to wait I just get excited when i see it full .

Oh I forgot to metion there isnt any rock in the pond we have dug about 10 feet down and is all clay, and access isnt a problem either. My neighbor wants to makethe pond on his side too but i dont think thats a good idea .Thanks

You are correct in thinking that a shared pond is a not so good idea. The fish won't abide by the boundaries, and what your neighbor thinks is a good idea for the pond might not correspond to your plans. I'm not a dirt guy, but I've learned that the soil should ideally be compacted with a sheepsfoot roller, in 6" to 12" lifts. Geeze, I hope I'm remembering the thickness of the lifts correctly!

from what ive read r correct