[Trainee Farmer Ted]

Not too sure where to put this post!

We have a large man made pond that is fine in the winter but tends to dries out in the summer when the water table falls. Its only "source" is from the large grain store roof.  How best can i encourage it to retain water?

 

[clydesdaleclopper]

There's a technique called gleying. Don't know how well it works but there is a discussion of it here http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/list/80/3409?OWASP_CSRFTOKEN=1GQB-9JFM-U9E1-REDR-TS1P-5LBR-7ZFZ-XASH#257950

[bloomer]

how deep is the pond?


large surface area shallow ponds dry much easier than deeper smaller ponds...


if its only source is a roof its not getting a lot of water added in the summer so need to maximise on retaining the winter water...

[Trainee Farmer Ted]

Maybe 3 to 4 ft at its best  and 20ft across. Its probably where the clay got dug out from to build the house.

[shygirl]

we had one that size (although we filled it in for a variety of reasons) for the first few years it used to leak then suddenly it was watertight all by itself. i can only guess the clay soil sealed itself.
apparently you can seal it by getting cattle to trample the clay into the base.
i found it quite interesting that traditionally ponds were only used for a few years at a time, cant remember why though but they were allowed to dry out.

[Trainee Farmer Ted]

Great! Sounds like a good excuse to get some pigs!

[pigalicious]

Why would you need an excuse to get pigs?  Anyway I'm sure it was cattle that was mentioned. Maybe something to do with the length of leg.

         P

[shygirl]

ooh - it was definitely cattle as they will trample the clay into the ground - pigs would do the opposite and dig it all up again.

[pigalicious]

I'm sure its cattle too. But pigs would be much more fun to watch. I agree they would probably destroy the pond.

        P

[Trainee Farmer Ted]

In that link in post 2 it definately mentions pigs!! 

[pigalicious]

In that link in post 2 it definately mentions pigs!!

In post 13 on page three it is mentioned that pigs "would probably ruin" any natural seal that had been created. Presumably they would make the natural "membrane" with their feet whilst eating easy food, and then snout through the seal once the easy pickings were done. I think it will work with cattle though.

     P
   

[Trainee Farmer Ted]

My apologies I didnt read it properly