I sometimes wonder how natural ponds or water pools form and hold water continuously. Is it because of the soil underneath that is responsible? I believe it is a certain type of soil will help hold water without allowing it to percolate down. While I was traveling by train, I saw this one that woke up my long-waiting thought.
There are a lot of reasons why a pond forms. There can be an underground spring. There can be a high water table so that wherever there is a deep enough depression the water table is then above aground. Clay soil will provide a good bottom for a pond. Sometimes here in the US someone will go to dig a koi pond and find they have run into the water table. This isn't a good thing. If you want a three foot deep rubber lined pond and find water at two feet then two feet is all you get. Hydrostatic pressure - water pushing up - on the bottom of the liner will actually bubble the liner up into the pond. Locally we have had serious flooding and the ground is as saturated as it has ever been in the 35 years I've lived here. Wherever you stand your shoe impressions fill with water. Normally it drains quickly because it is very sandy here. My pond liner has stayed down (weight of the water I think) but with much more rain I am not sure what will happen.
You still taking those georgeous pictures of the lilies?
Hi Dinu
My Grandfather dug 3 large ponds on his property years ago. There was a little drive that divided the ponds from the creek that had always been there. The City-Parish came in about 15 years ago and dregged the creek to make it deeper for drainage purposes and when they did that all 3 ponds drained empty. This year my cousin brought in about 20 truck loads of clay and packed it into the 1st pond along the side by the drive and lo and behold the pond is now holding water again.
It has brought back so many childhood memories to see it full again. I know my Grandfather is smiling down from heaven to see it full, I know I'm smiling from here.
Jeri
Thanks for the information. I have to use a liner for my own pond here as water goes down in quick time. Gets absorbed. It is not exactly sandy, not purely clayey nor rocky. I don't know how to classify it at this stage. Ours is generally a dry area, except for my garden. Water table is about 100 ft below!
Those truckloads of clay you mention - did you allow it to dry neatly after giving it a 'finishing shape' and how thick was the layer of clay?
Not very thick after they packed it. They just applied it down one side of the pond. Kinda like a patch. Remember the pond had helt water before the city/parish dregged the creek. They lowered the water level of the creek and it drained the ponds.
I too have a liner pond here is a picture of it.
Here is the waterfall.
This message was edited Jan 16, 2007 9:08 AM
Oph's forgot the picture.
Thanks Jeri for the information. Wonderful pond and waterfall. Do you have a pump for this w'fall? Those lily leaves are lovely plates!
Hi Dinu,
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Yes, I do have 2 pumps one pump is 5000 gallon and one is 3000 gallon and I have 2 large bead filters also that need to be backwashed about every 2-3 days. My DH had by-pass surgery so mine has been off since about May and actually looked clearer before winter than when runing. My fish are doing great. I'm continueing to do about 1/3 exchange of water each week.
Amazing pond jeri11. I am in total awe.
Thank you snapple45. We had it installed in 1998 and have been working on it ever since. I'm a bit of a plant collector but lucky for my DH I like to start out with small holes and cuttings. If you would like to see more of the backyard here is a link:
http://davesgarden.com/journal/d/m/jeri11/
Hope you enjoy.
Jeri
Jeri, I just love the victoria lily. How much room do they need to grow? Thank you so much for the pics and inspiration. :^)
Victorias seem to grow wider than that.
