So my 1/3 acre pond has a leak. Loses an inch a day or more when no rain. Definitely not just evaporation.

The pond itself isn’t a typical one with a levy and all that. It’s basically just a big hole in the ground.

My question is…where is the water going? Can a pond just leak through the bottom into the ground? It’s been here 16 years and never had an issue until now.

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Posted by cgrand

HAMMOND

Member since Oct 2009

50845 posts

Posted on 7/30/26 at 2:10 pm to indytiger

quote:
Can a pond just leak through the bottom into the ground?

yes

you sure it’s not being exacerbated but evaporation? It’s hot as frick and hasn’t rained here in weeks

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Posted by CrawDude

Baton Rouge

Member since Apr 2019

6044 posts

Posted on 7/30/26 at 2:30 pm to indytiger

Excavated pond - so called “borrow pit”. Yes they can leak through the bottom, if the bottom, or part, is in contact with a sand or sandy soil lens. But just starting to leak after 16 years that would be highly unusual.

I agree with cgrand - re-think the role of evaporation. Do a “bucket test”. Get a bucket, preferably plastic tub of some sort that doesn’t leak….lol, and fill it with water and measure the water loss to evaporation over a day with a tape measure, or a few days, and compare it to the water loss in the pond. Get a measuring stick, yard stick, and stick in the pond bottom to accurately measure the water drop in pond - don’t guess. Compare the 2 and report back.

This post was edited on 7/30/26 at 2:32 pm

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Posted by bengalman

In da Country

Member since Feb 2007

4231 posts

Posted on 7/30/26 at 2:41 pm to indytiger

I am not sure of your location but this heat and lack of rain is definitely evaporating mine quick which it does usually in July/August. Mine is a good 12 to 16 inches below normal. I will be running a line from my well to it tomorrow to filler back up.

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