Clay or puddled pond leaks

If the weather has been dry and the sun has had chance to bake the clay liner then cracks can naturally develop, which as the water leaks out of them, the sun just chases them further down.

CURE without putting in a flexible liner: the clay must be thoroughly soaked and a thumper, or plate compactor for larger areas, can be run over it, then just hope for the best.

I always feel that a puddled pond's best guarantee of survival is a constant feed of fresh water from a spring or stream. It can easily be arranged from a stream, if there is one nearby by hiding a pipe upstream that collects water and dispenses it into the pool, thus keeping it topped up to overflowing. At the ordained water level the pool needs to sustain to keep the clay liner covered, there should then be an overflow that will take the water back to the stream back into it is usual course.

(see also : Conservation Ponds)