Making a pond

I had this question under the 'Gardening Projects' category and just realised it should be here.

I live in Suffolk where most of the ground in heavy clay. It is the county with the most natural ponds in England. I would like to put a pond in the garden but without using liners or plastic mould. The pond would be around 10 yards square so not small. I would hopefully rely on the clay soil to stop the water draining away. Is this realistic or would I still need to lay something down first?

 

Ive built one before like this, Basicly just dug down to pudling clay then compacted it by running a 3.5 ton excavator across it and pressing it with the grading bucket.

Remember to slope one end gently so as wildlife can drink and you can get the excavator out!

 

To add to Pro Gard's post, it is possible to do this, but is not really recomended, the reason is that as Pro Gard says the clay must be well compacted, and at least 30cm thick. This is so that any ground movement will not cause it to crack. The other thing is it has to be kept filled all the time, if it isn't it can dry out and crack.

Not to mention it must be 100% Level

By all means try it, but I wouldn't

I also see Paladin has a good link, in it it says the clay failed. It often does.

 

Thank you both for the comments. I already have a large pond which is a natural one. Just wonder how the water stays there. Of course, it has probably been there for a very long time and lots of organic matter covers the bottom. It occasionally reduces in a dry spell but not so much that would be a concern with drying out.
I would intend the new pond to be deep and of course sloping so I could add plants in the shallow end. To be on the safe side, what type of liner would be required?

 

The only decent artificial liner is butyl, Lintama. easy to fit and durable.

 

Agree.

 

I don't agree with butyl being the best, it was, but not anymore

There are a whole variety of liners that have g'tees longer than butyl, and unlike butyl are easier to fold / manovre

 

mmmmmmmmm I will look into it. Thank you.

 

Water garden, What are in your opinion the better alternatives to butyl? Not done a pond for a while so would be intrested.

Agree with you on the manuverability point.

 

I don't really have a preferance, i just think butyl has had its "15 minutes of fame".

 

Pro flexiliners are good they are 3 ply and guaranteed for 40 years http://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/flexiliner.asp

 

40 years sure beets the normal 20 -25 for butyl.

Many many years ago i saw what happens to a liner that is exposed to too much sunshine, they really do turn into giant black "cornflakes" any one else seen it?

 

Mines got the odd crack around the edge, just below the paving.
Its butyl and was put in in 1989, its true, sunshine is the problem, below the water line it seem fine, even though there are a few large roots running along under it.
Cant really work out on your link walnut if you actually get a better product for the 40 yr guarantee, or its the same product and you just pay more to get a longer guarantee.
I think I must have missed something.

 

cheers for the link walnut

 

More flexible Pete Butyl can be a nightmare.