How to stop a farm pond from leaking
Unlike landscape and gardening ponds, farm ponds are vital for the farm’s sustainability, as they are usually an important source of water for stock and any other animals and plants around.
One of the most common problems for farmers and ranchers is the water level of their farm ponds dropping. And usually, after pumping (if the water is being pumped in) and any other similar problems have been discarded, they start to think about the water leaking into the underground. While there are many reasons why a pond may be leaking, if you can’t find an apparent reason, it is likely being lost to the underground.
Why is my farm pond losing water?
The main reasons for a pond to lose water are:
- Evaporation
- Plants or animals damaging the slopes
- A simple puncture on the liner
Finding the source of the seepage requires a thoughtful inspection and time, however, it is a process that you should not skip.
What can I do to stop a farm pond from leaking?
If the reason is evaporation, consider adding aquatic plants to the pond or planting trees around to reduce the temperature and conserve the humidity in the area.
If the problem is damaged slop or a punctured pond liner, you can try to stop your pond from leaking by applying a pond sealant or repairing the liner.
There are also many products available in the market, advertised for seepage prevention or as sealants for ponds. The trick is to identify the location and size of the leak to choose the product that works in your case.
A product that works in most cases to stop leaks on a farm pond is Sodium Bentonite.
How bentonite can help you to stop a leak on a farm pond?
Bentonite pond sealant comes in a dust presentation that creates a muddy clay that fills holes of almost any size on the pond soil.
Another benefit of bentonite for farm ponds is its 100% natural composition, which makes it safe for plants, fish, and stock animals. Plus, you can apply it to ponds with or without water.
Bentonite is the best product to seal your pond naturally.
How to fix a leak in a pond with water using bentonite?
If you have a pond that can’t be drained, you can use the “Bentonite Sprinkle Method” to fix the leak.
The Bentonite sprinkle method consists of spreading bentonite powder over the leaking area. The bentonite will sink to the bottom and will fill the gaps in the pond soil.
This method is simple, but its success depends on
- The cause of the leak
- Amount of bentonite applied
- Bentonite quality
- Grain of the bentonite
Depending on the pond size, you can sprinkle it manually or pumped over the surface with the help of a pneumatic trailer.
If it is possible to drain the pond, we recommend using the blanked method or the mix-mesh blanked method to line your pond.
After applying bentonite, what can I expect?
It takes a few days for the bentonite pond sealer to reach its full hydration capacity and form a solid lining at the pond’s bottom surface. Once the time has passed (less than 1 week), there should be a reduction of water seepage, and the farm pond should stop leaking.
Where to get Bentonite pond sealant?
If you have questions or need sodium bentonite pond sealant you can contact Lonestar Minerals.
We have more than 50 years on the farm pond business shipping bentonite nationwide, fixing ponds, and helping you to stop your farm pond from losing water.
Contact us to get an expert consultation.
