SHAWNEE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Sealing A Pond

A pond that leaks is a real disappointment. The two most likely reasons are the pond was not built correctly in the first place or some of the components such as a pipe have rusted out. Other times however; unforeseen conditions can be the cause. The Natural Resources Conservation Service can do a site review of your pond to help determine the possible reason for the problem. Please see some key elements of a properly built pond dam.

Below are some methods for sealing a leaking pond. Sorry, but the best solution normally is to drain and re-build the pond in a more correct manner. A pond can be re-built more economically with better results. There is no guarantee that fix will work.

I. Site Preparation - REQUIRED FOR ALL METHODS 
    A. Drain and dry area to be sealed 
    B. Remove vegetation, stumps, debris, loose rock 
    C. Cover all voids with soil 
    D. Protect sealed area from puncture (livestock, etc.) 
    E. All methods, except liners: 
        1. Spread in 6" - 8" lifts 
        2. Thoroughly mix 
        3. Compact at optimum moisture

II. Methods 
    A. Compaction 
        1. For well-graded soils only with > 10% fines for sealing
        2. Scarify 8" - 10" depths or lifts 
        3. Compact (sheepsfoot usually) at optimum moisture 
        4. Increase for water depths > 10 ft. 
    B. Coarse-Grained Soils (Inadequate Clay) 
        1. Earth blanket 
            a. Soil should have approx. 20% clay by wt. 
            b. Spread in 6" - 8" lifts, 1-2 ft. thick 
            c. Compact at optimum moisture 
        2. Bentonite (DRILLER'S MUD) 
            a. High shrink-swell sodium clay that swells 8-20 times original volume 
            b. Not satisfactory for fluctuating water level (shrinks and cracks when dry)
            c. Thoroughly mix with soil in 6" lifts and compact at optimum moisture 
            d. May protect from cracking with mulch 
            e. Slurry method undesirable due to flocculation time and uniformity 
            f. POURING A FEW BAGS OVER THE SIDE OF A BOAT INTO THE WATER IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. 
    C. Non-Dispersed Clays 
        1. Adequate clay content, but "honeycomb" structure allows seepage 
        2. Addition of certain salts "disperses" this structure 
            a. Generally, sodium salts increase dispersion, shrink-swell
            b. Calcium salts decrease shrink-swell but may provide some dispersion 
        3. Chemical treatment (mix similar to bentonite) 
            a. Soils: 50% fines, 15% clay < 0.002 mm 
            b. NaCl, TSPP, STPP, Soda Ash 
    D. Liners and Membranes 
        1. Work in most conditions 
        2. Usually polyethylene, vinyl, or butyl rubber 
        3. Control puncture from vegetation, livestock 
        4. Meet NRCS min. criteria and manufacturer's recommendations 
        5. Concrete, asphalt and soil cement also used 
    E. Large Voids - Rock Cavities 
        1. Clay blanket may work for very low flow rates 
        2. Grout or similar material 
        3. Liners

III. Recommend lab analysis (Lincoln SML) for compaction, bentonite, chemical methods

IV. Material Costs (Last known) 
    A. Bentonite 
        1. Bulk: $50/ton 
        2. 100 lb. Bags: $80/ton 
        3. Shipping: $50-60/ton within 100 mi. radius 
    B. Chemicals 
        1. Soda Ash (Na2Co3): $6.75/50lb. Bag 
        2. TSPP: $92/100lb. Add freight

V. An additional method is to concentrate and feed cattle or hogs, feeding grains and hay in the permanent pool area. The livestock will produce a lot of organic matter, salts and compaction. Be sure to allow an area for the livestock to get to in case pond fills with water.

Other related pages.
  • Basic Elements of a Pond
  • Maintaining A Pond
  • Picture Gallery
  • Pond Dams Built Right
  • Pond Problems
  • ​Replacing or Adding a Pond Pipe
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Conservation Priorities
  • Contact Us
  • Equipment
    • No-Till Drill >
      • No-Till Drill for Rent
      • Drill Use Documents
      • Seed Photos and Information
    • Root Plow
  • Construction
    • Contractors
    • Ponds - Construction, Problems, Repair, Fish >
      • Basic Elements of a Pond Dam (Drawings and Text Version)
      • Pond Dams Build Right - Pictorial Version
      • Pond Management
      • Pond Maintenance
      • Excess Vegetation Management
      • Replacing A Pond Pipe
      • Sealing A Leaky Pond
    • Plugging Abandoned Water Wells 2
  • Partners
    • Other Agencies
  • Natural Resources
    • Conservation Balance
    • Natural Resources
    • Non Point Source Pollution >
      • Non Point Source Pollution
      • Plugging Abandoned Water Wells
      • Septic System Maintenance Links
      • Septic Tank Maintenance
    • Soil >
      • Soil Basics
      • Soil Ecosystem
      • Soil pH
      • Soil Testing
    • Cropland Planting Resources
    • No-Till and Water Infiltration
    • Cover Crops >
      • Cover - Forage Crops
      • Planting - Managing Cover Crops
    • Livestock Water
    • Top 9 BMPS for Nutrient Management
    • Maintain Soil Nutrients
    • Problem Weeds
    • Brush Management
    • Caucasian Bluestem
    • Air Quality
  • Urban and/or Small Acreage
    • Why Urban Conservation
    • Urban/Small Acreage Essentials
    • Country Living Considerations >
      • Country Living
      • Essential Check List
    • Backyard - Projects In Your Own Backyard
    • High Tunnels
    • Urban Hydrology
    • Erosion Control On Construction Sites
    • Preventing Urban Water Pollution
  • Education
    • Request A Presentation
    • What Is A Watershed
    • Outdoor Classrooms
    • Nature's Code of Ethics
    • Student Videos
    • Student - More Info - Turbidity Test Expanded
    • Student - More Info - Properties of Water Expanded
    • Student - More Info - Soils
    • Get Outdoors With Conservation
    • Conservation Word Search Puzzles >
      • Agricultural Puzzle
      • NPS Puzzle
      • What We Can Do Puzzle
    • Photos >
      • Conservation Practice Photo Gallery
      • Livestock Agriculture Photos
      • Pond Photos
      • Prescribed Burning Photos
      • Rural Agriculture Photos
      • Urban Conservation Photos
    • Key Conservation Practices
    • Progress In Conservation
  • Financial Assistance
    • State Cost-Share
    • WRAPS
  • Events
    • District Annual Meeting
    • Envirothon
    • Topeka Water Festival
    • History & Environmental Fair
  • Awards
    • 2021 Grassland Award
    • 2022 Soil Conservation Awards
    • 2021 Outstanding Young Conservation Award
  • NEWSLETTERS