So we have a pond that is a little under an acre. It held water ok, but not great. We recently let it dry up and worked on some areas we thought were leaking with some bentonite. Problem is the other areas that seemed to be holding previously (that we treated with bentonite and some natural clay) had huge cracks in it after it completely dried.

So, when we filled it back up that area didn't seem to hold as well. What are my options? I'd rather not have to spend a bunch more money on bentonite! Once it dries up again would it help to pack it real good to break up the clods and eliminate the cracks? Should we disk it first and then pack it?

Any ideas?

Seems like you're going to need to work the entire bottom over once dry-ish again and I'd spend more money on bentonite - unfortunately.

Fight it forever or line it.

you could always try to put the Bentonite in while full using an outboard motor or a trolling motor. Just pour the bag in the prop wash to disperse it and once it settles then in theory it will settle on the entire bottom. I've seen it work before but never done it myself.

Reading fail.

HumbleAg04 said:

---

Fight it forever or line it.

---

This

OnlyForNow said:

---

Seems like you're going to need to work the entire bottom over once dry-ish again and I'd spend more money on bentonite - unfortunately.

---

I was afraid you might say that! I may look at having someone else do it this time. Anyone know anybody out this direction that does pond construction/maintenance?

Where are you/your pond located in W TX?

We cleaned out around 24 ponds summer of '11--real bad hot/dry summer. I was incredibly disappointed in how many of those tanks never really held water well after 6-18' of silt was removed. My SWAG theory is it was so damn hot and dry the clay split and never sealed back up all the way???? Lot did, but the 6-8 that didn't still have me questioning process today . . .

Maroon Saloon said:

---

Where are you/your pond located in W TX?

We cleaned out around 24 ponds summer of '11--real bad hot/dry summer. I was incredibly disappointed in how many of those tanks never really held water well after 6-18' of silt was removed. My SWAG theory is it was so damn hot and dry the clay split and never sealed back up all the way???? Lot did, but the 6-8 that didn't still have me questioning process today . . .

---

Dickens County, about an hour east of Lubbock. I think the giant cracks in the clay layer are the issue, as there is sand underneath. I'm hoping packing it will solve the issue by breaking up the clods and spreading the particles. Not sure though.

That silt that was removed is super fine and filled in lots of nooks and crannies, that's the biggest problem when ponds like that get cleaned out, unfortunately.

Playas hold water because they never really get messed with and it becomes a bathtub; disc or do heavy ground disturbance in there when it's dry and there's a good chance you'll ruin its ability to hold and retain water.

Yup, I've worked Dickens Co and that is straight sand after you get through that layer with no stop. Packing the bottom is important . . . I don't have answer for yougo with the old highly variable and it depends!