spring in pool construction

[Anonymous-0]

I am in the process of building a 4 acre pond. I have discovered several springs where the dam is going to be located. What can be done if anything to prevent the springs from becoming a problem? Thanks

 

[amo]

move the dam

 

[Anonymous-0]

Can't move the dam. Springs are worst downstream and they are a few upstream. This is the best place with the fewest springs i have found. There has to be a way to cover them without a problem. Maybe a french drain? Thanks

 

[Mark-Mi]

Hi sandfield,these guys will answer all your pond questions.Mark.
http://www.pondboss.com/

 

[Walt Davies]

You will have to go deep down under them and then poor concrete or as the guy said "Move the Dam"

It will wash out any dirt dam that put in and undermine any concrete that is not deep enough.
I would get a geologist out to look it over before proceeding you could be in real trouble.
Walt

 

[suptscottyb]

Envy your problem. Would trade eye teeth for water coming outta the ground here in So Cal.

 

[JDknut]

What they do in large dams in that case is to provide drainage zones and pressure relief wells to channel and control the flow. Otherwise, you will likely lose the dam. There are other issues to worry about such as foundation bearing capacity, slope stability, etc. You should have a professional engineer prepare the design, and in fact, that may be required for the permit. A professional design will take into account subsurface conditions, and will pay for itself over the long haul. I say this as a professional engineer myself.

 

[Janicholson]

Without being there, and with no warrantee on this idea.
Putting sand points into the springs (maybe 8 feet down) and putting plastic pipe on them to come out from under the location, into the pond.
Digging down into the surface soil 3' or so along the base of the intended dam, and replacing it with dense clay. If weak soils are all there is to use as fill, I would use interlocking steel sheets to set a barrier to down hill shifting.
I would then face the up hill side with a clay layer about 8" thick and put crushed 3 or 4" rock over that to protect it. A series of plastic tubes through the dam at the intended water height (capable of 100% of flood flow) as spillways is very important to prevent topping the dam and loosing it. jimN