How to get a clay pond to hold water naturally

18 years ago

My soil in the garden has got quite high clay content I think, once I dig a couple of feet. I want to have a natural pond to raise fry in next year as they grow so much better in natural ponds. Has anyone got any tips on how I can get the clay soil to hold water naturally? I know at the beginning I will have to top up regularly until it starts to hold water on its own. I have read adding chicken poop helps get the pond more bio-active which then produces more algae which when dies clogs up the pond therefore sealing it. The only problem would be is that there are little tree roots present near where the pond can only go, will that cause a problem?

Any help on how I can do this?

Thanks

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Comments (5)

bill_d
18 years ago
The hills around me in Wiltshire used many years ago to have dewponds on them to water the sheep grazed there.

I believe they were constructed by digging out the hole, then lining it with clay, which would be "puddled" (pounded, I think by treading it) to an even layer. Then a layer of straw would be placed on the clay, then another layer of puddled clay, and so on.

Properly constructed, they would last for years or decades, and indeed some still exist today.

I think tree roots could well be a problem for a clay pond, though.
anyanka
18 years ago
This is probably not very practical advice, but the traditional method of compacting the clay for waterproofing is to let a shire horse (or similar heavy breed) walk it. It takes some time though...
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pat67
18 years ago
i am in the process of making a clay pond. Is it true that this is unlikely ever to be clear as I have been told by a water gardening company. I am getting a problem of clay particles floating to the top of the pond. Will this settle down? should I cover base of pond with topsoil to stop this? Can anyone recommend some good plants which are evergreen which can give some structure round the pond and not likely to crack the clay?
Scotty24
18 years ago
Pat
The best way to have clear water in this type of pond is to have 'bare rooted' oxygenators and other 'bottom' plants.
(initially weigh them down by tying stones/cobbles to them) When the roots spread across the bottom of the pond they will help 'bind' the clay and have the extra advantage of absorbing nutrients so helping to control algea. It might take a couple of years before you see the results. The clay particles should settle in time.
Patience is the key here!
DON'T use topsoil as this contains nutrients which will encourage algea.
Sue
Marie london uk
12 years ago
My pond started to leak and so I'm relocating it to a part of garden which is clay and holds water perfectly even settles as clear water after 2 hours. I was going to cover with a lining but having read your posts I'm inspired to go natural! Using Pat's suggestion of bare rooted oxygenating bottom plants. Thanks

How to get a clay pond to hold water naturally

Comments (5)

bill_d

anyanka

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Scotty24

Marie london uk

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