Understanding
Pond digging is a difficult and laborious process that requires meticulous planning. It can also be costly. Before you dig a pond, be sure to research your soil, water supply and surrounding area to make sure your project will go as planned.
Depending on your area, a pond may require special permits or be prohibited altogether by your local authority. And even if it’s legal, your property insurance could be impacted by the addition of a pond. And if you’re part of an HOA, your project could fall foul of rules and regulations.
Before you start digging, use a site level and laser levels to determine the high and low points on your property where the pond will likely be located. This will help you avoid digging in areas that don’t exist, or snagging up power lines or other structures.
You’ll also need to decide on the type of soil you want your pond to be built on. If the soil is heavy, it will hold more water and won’t need to be drained as often. On the other hand, sandy soil will drain too quickly and won’t hold water long enough.
Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to begin digging the pond itself. Usually, you’ll have to dig an access hole and a draining tunnel before you can actually put in the pond itself. The pond itself should be lined with plastic or wood-based pond liner to prevent weeds and algae from growing.
The liner should be sunk into the ground with underlayment, a spongy synthetic fabric that will help protect it against roots and sharp stones. Before you start putting the pond in, however, take the time to carefully pick out any sharp rocks and clear away any tree roots that may have grown into the ground.
If your pond will be built on top of a hill or other slope, you’ll need to build the dikes in such a way that they can be easily filled and dried. This will reduce the risk of water leaking into the surrounding soil.
This can be done by placing a layer of sand in the bottom of the pond, or by building up a ridge of clay on top. Once the pond has been finished, you can place the soil back down and plant grass or other plants around it.
You will also need to dig out a berm that is used to house the biological filter and flexible piping, as well as any other necessary structures. The berm should be at least 1 to 2 feet tall, and it should extend around the entire perimeter of the pond.
If you have a shallow pond, you can add a layer of clay to the bottom before you start digging, or you can use a bentonite liner. You’ll need to do this before you can start putting the pond in, however, as clay is hard to remove from the ground.
