Large Leaking Pond

gaz10 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 08:50 PM

I have a pretty large pond at 60m x 15m with a stream running into and out of it. Its home to allsorts of wildlife and I also stock it with trout. The grass banks are beginning to breach in a couple of places and the water level has dropped by about a foot which is a concern. Its unlined because of the size of the thing. I've tried to plug the leaks but because I cant stop the running water its appears impossible to stop it.

If anybody has any tips or ideas how I can tackle fixing this with constant running water it would be appreciated.

Phoebe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 09:26 PM

That is some pond sounds more like a small lake. Did you make it yourself or was it already there? I know that puddled clay was a way to seal a pond, something I thought about when creating a large pond I had some years back, but how you would get clay into a constantly changing water system I don't know.

BTW welcome to the site

Darley · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 10:32 PM

I'm a little confused by the breaching banks - can you upload a pic so I can get an idea of the relative levels?

Dutchess · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 11:26 PM

Welcome to WAB, gaz10.

Well, you have a whopper of a pond there

It sounds as though the banks are eroding because of the water running through it and yet you say you have tried to "plug" the leaks, so I'm wondering how as you also say the pond is unlined; could you elaborate on that, please? Is it man-made? If so, how old is it? At this stage in possession of little facts (and no piccies!

) I would hazard a guess and say if you really want to save it it could be shored up by some relatively major earthworking.

I'd be interested to hear more about this.

Cheers,

D.

coasty · #5 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 11:33 AM

Sounds like an intersting one... Can we have some photos please?

big bill · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 05:58 PM

As stated very interesting problem again pics would be helpful but have you tried ising boards to shore up the leaks then fill in again either behind the boards or in front ?

dmclean2 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 11:21 PM

A couple of Beavers would help

Duncan

Dutchess · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmclean2

A couple of Beavers would help

Duncan

Now there's a thought!

D.

Cotham Marble · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz10

I have a pretty large pond at 60m x 15m with a stream running into and out of it. Its home to allsorts of wildlife and I also stock it with trout. The grass banks are beginning to breach in a couple of places and the water level has dropped by about a foot which is a concern. Its unlined because of the size of the thing. I've tried to plug the leaks but because I cant stop the running water its appears impossible to stop it.

If anybody has any tips or ideas how I can tackle fixing this with constant running water it would be appreciated.

From the description it sounds as though this is a constructed rather than natural pond, achieved by partially daming a stream. Given the size and scale of leakage this is likely to need professional pond builders/repairers to restor the pond in the face of progressive natural erosion.

It may well need the advice of a civil engineer and removal of silting may be required as well as structural repair.

CM

tom00_uk · #10 (**permalink**) 18-10-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

From the description it sounds as though this is a constructed rather than natural pond, achieved by partially daming a stream. Given the size and scale of leakage this is likely to need professional pond builders/repairers to restor the pond in the face of progressive natural erosion.

It may well need the advice of a civil engineer and removal of silting may be required as well as structural repair.

CM

would prob have to get consent from the ea as well if in england/wales