How much bentonite to seal a pond?
Learn how much bentonite is needed to seal any pond
Let’s start by defining the size of your pond. We always try to give our clients easy references, so they can approximate the size of their ponds without actually having to do an exact measurement. If you do have the accurate measurements of your pond, you are very welcome to use our calculator to determine how much bentonite would be required to seal your pond. But if you don’t, don’t worry, we will provide you with easy references so you can get a good idea of how much bentonite is needed to seal your pond.
Size of your pond in acres
A 1/4 acre pond is equivalent to about 11,000 sq ft. So about 100 x 100 ft OR 150 x 75 ft OR 200 x 50 ft. An easy way to know visually, if your pond is about the size of 1/4 of a football field, it is probably near 1/4 acre.
A one-acre pond is equivalent to 43,560 sq ft. So about 200 x 200 ft OR 150 x 300 ft OR 100 x 450 ft. An easy way to know visually, if your pond is about the size of a football field, it is probably near 1 acre.
A half acre pond is equivalent to about 22,500 sq ft. So about 225 x 100 ft OR 150 x 150 ft. If your pond is about the size of half a football field, it is probably near half acre.
A 2 acre pond is equivalent to about 85,000 sq ft. So about 300 x 300 ft OR 200 x 450 ft OR 250 x 350 ft. An easy way to know visually, if your pond is about the size of one and a half football fields, it is probably near 2 acres.
How much sodium bentonite to seal a pond?
In general, the application rate for bentonite varies from 2 to 6 lbs per square foot of area. However, sometimes is difficult to visualize how much bentonite to seal a pond, so we’ll try to help you visualize how much bentonite is needed for some common pond sizes. Keep in mind that bentonite is an inexpensive material that sells at only a few cents a pound, so don’t get scared about needing tons of bentonite to seal your pond.
Applying bentonite is quite easy, compared to other pond liners; also it requires a lot less workforce, making the investment similar to traditional liners available in the market. There are 2 main methods of bentonite application: The Blanket & The Mixed-Blanket method. Click to learn more about bentonite application methods.
If you decide to use bentonite as a pond liner, be sure to use the recommended amount of bentonite! The mistake people tend to make the most is not using enough bentonite to create a good seal for their ponds. It is true that bentonite is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but we (and our customers) can assure you that all your effort and investment will be paid with a pond full all year round.
Quarter Acre Pond >>> Between 18 and 36 tons of bentonite
For a 0.25 acre pond, you need at least 36,000 lbs of bentonite, which is equivalent to 18 US tons. To give you an idea, each full truckload of bentonite contains 45,000 lbs in 15 super sacks of 3,000 lbs each. So you’ll need at least 3/4 of a truckload to properly line the pond.
In the worst case scenario, if the soil is mostly rock and gravel, you’ll need 72,000 lbs of bentonite, which is equivalent to 36 US tons. To give you a visual, this is equivalent to about one and a half truckload.
Half Acre Pond >>> Between 35 and 70 tons of bentonite
For a half acre pond (0.5 acre is equivalent to 21,780 sq ft), you need at least 69,000 lbs of bentonite, which is equivalent to 35 US tons. To give you an idea, each full truckload of bentonite contains 45,000 lbs in 15 super sacks of 3,000 lbs each. So you’ll need at least one and a half truckloads of bentonite to be able to create an effective pond liner for your pond.
The more porous the soil, the more bentonite you require for a good seal. If the soil is mostly rock and gravel, you’ll need 138,000 lbs of bentonite, which is equivalent to 70 US tons. Visually, these are equivalent to 3 full truckloads of bentonite. Don’t panic yet! With our network of logistics and the high volume, we are guaranteed to give you a great deal, so go ahead and get a free quote.
1 Acre Pond >>> Between 63 and 125 tons of bentonite
To seal a 1 acre pond, you need between 65 and 140 tons of bentonite. To give you an idea, each full truckload of bentonite contains 22.5 tons of bentonite, so you’ll need between 3 and 5 truckloads of bentonite to fully seal the pond. The amount will be closer to 3 truckloads if the soil has a high clay composition and closer to 5 truckloads if the soil is porous, mostly composed of gravel and/or rock.
And although it sounds like a lot of bentonite (and it is, lol) we can assure you the investment is not that far off when compared to traditional liners. Get a free quote today and do the math! You’ll be surprised.
1 acre is equivalent to 43,560 square feet and the amount of bentonite to effectively seal a 1 acre pond is between 125,000 and 250,000 pounds of bentonite.
2 Acre Pond >>> Between 125 and 250 tons of bentonite
For a 2 acre pond, you need at least 250,000 lbs of bentonite, which is equivalent to 125 US tons. This means that you’ll need at least about 6 truckloads of bentonite (each truckload is 22.5 tons), in case the soil is mostly clay. If the soil is porous and is composed of mostly rock and gravel, you’ll need about 250 tons, which is a little more than 11 truckloads.
For a project this size, bentonite is a great option. it is a lot easier to handle than a traditional liner and the risk of puncture or tear for a pond this size is quite a concern that you don’t have when using bentonite. Our field experience shows that it is more likely to last for decades with minimal maintenance (if any) required.
