How to Build a Pond Without Using a Liner
- 1). Select a proper site for the pond. Pond liners are necessary because the chosen site for a pond leaks more than the pond designer desires. Therefore, site selection when designing a pond is key to avoiding leaks. Choose a site that features 20 percent clay soil or more for good soil compaction. Avoid sites that include large rocks because water easily seeps through the separations between large rocks.
- 2). Remove trees from the pond banks and surrounding areas. Water loving trees such as maple and mesquite can drink water directly from the pond if they grow close enough to the pond bank, which they commonly do. When tree roots decay, seepage also can cause further pond leaks.
- 3). Compact the soil before filling the pond to decrease soil drainage at the bottom of the pond. Break up the surface of the soil with a roto tiller or similar device to a depth of 12 to 16 inches and then compact the soil tightly with a roller. All these measures combined reduce the likelihood of pond leakage.
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