Sounds like you are doing good homework. Well drained chili loam does not sound like it hold water very well. If the soil is marginal for a pond then the best soil compaction possible would produce the best outcome. Be sure you read and understand good soil compaction practices in this thread from the Archives. Remember a pond digger is not a pond builder. Vibratory sheepsfoot compactors are not built and sold if other equipment would do as good or a better job.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=She...amp;FORM=VRDGAR

Soil compaction testing
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=She...amp;FORM=VRDGAR

http://www.equipmentworld.com/choosing-the-right-machine-for-proper-soil-compaction/

https://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/umrcourses/ge441/online_lectures/compaction/GE441-Lecture2-7.pdf
http://www.specialtysalesllc.com/nutra-bond_compaction.htm

Last edited by Bill Cody; 01/20/17 03:53 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management