The good news: 97% good soil and clay throughout the sides and bottom of the pond area. The bad news: the excavator found a sandy area on the side of the basin near one end of the dam. Can't say I was surprised - there are other areas of sandy soils that can be found in the section where I live. The sandy area was at approximately the same elevation as where the water level would drop down to within a few days of a rain. Then a slower drop over several weeks until dry, maybe because of silt partially sealing the bottom there for the last few feet.

At least now I know where to concentrate my efforts. The excavator put some good dirt over the sandy area, as best he could. Still very dry here, some occasional showers, total of 0.20 inches for the past couple of weeks, but maybe a chance of some decent rain starting on the weekend.

When I think of all the work I've done the last 6 months cutting down trees, the $1,400 for the excavator was a bargain. Wish I'd thought of it last Fall.