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  • From: "Scott Pittman" <scott@permaculture.org>
  • To: "'permaculture'" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Pond construction
  • Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 10:13:41 -0700



The method you describe Sepp Holtzer using is as old as the hills and is
called gleying. You can use almost any domestic livestock that are penned
into the pond area and fed and watered there. The side slopes of the pond
should be gentle to accommodate animal access. Each day move the feed
station a little so that the livestock is concentrated in a new area. It is
the combination of their hoof action and their manure and urine that works
to form a seal. This method works if you have sufficient clay content, it
won't work in sand as far as I know.

To improve your chances you could add a little bentonite clay to the soil
before the animals are introduced. One source of bentonite is through
drilling supply companies who use the a clay slurry to lubricate drilling
bits. Often it is cheaper from the drilling companies than from other
sources. Check the contents of the bentonite clay bag before purchasing.
It has been years since I bought it and they may have added compounds that
you don't want in your pond.

You may have deposits of bentonite clay near you so check first. Bentonite
is a composit of minerals primarily volcanic clays with the essential
mineral monmorillonite which has the capacity of swelling many times its
size when exposed to water.

I have heard of using explosives to compact a pond if the leaks are small.
This is done with a full pond and the explosive creates a pressure wave that
causes the water to surge against the pond walls and compact the soil.
Don't try this at home!

Finally, Bill Mollison spoke of using green plant material anchored to the
bottom of the pond. You could pen banana fronds to the bottom and sides of
the pond and then fill it, bacteria acting on the organic material creates a
biological mat that then is pulled into cracks or crevasses in the pond
bottom sealing them. This obviously is for small leaks. I have also been
told that grass clippings held in place with bamboo mats or old carpet can
be used. I have never tried this nor talked to anyone who as so take with
large and multiple grains of salt.

The benthic communities that form this biomat also help remove nitrogen and
phosphate from the water and thereby reduce algae bloom.

Hope this helps.

Scott Pittman
Director
Permaculture Institute
www.permaculture.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Vital Scherrer [mailto:vital233@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:44 AM
To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Pond construction

Thanks Carol and Stella!
I'm afraid my subsoil doesn't have enough percentage of clay - according to
the source mentioned below: "...the soil must have a 15% or higher clay
content and 20-100% passing the #200 sieve." - nor is there any available as

a liner.
It sounds like Sepp's method is at least as labour-intensive as to use a
plastic liner.
I found quiet good information at
"www.oneplan.org/Stock/wasteFac/manual4.shtml", where besides the soil and
its moisture requirements, the best equipment for compaction is mentioned.
The only one that I have seen around here is a smooth-drum-vibratory-roller.
Though, as I am in doubt about the suitability of the soil, I probably
better get some pigs and let them have a go at it. I guess if they can't do
it, then I will have to forget about it or consider an artificial
waterproofing.
The method with the liner of soft organic material, which is covered with
soil to turn into a water proofing slimy layer is not applicable either, as
there is not enough such suitable material around here.
About 15 years ago I helped Bill Mollison as a wwoofer at his place in
Tyalgum. As far as I remember, the soil there was similar to the one I have,

reddish of volcanic origin. Does anybody know how he built his ponds? (I'm
sorry that I didn't ask him, but he spoke such a pronounced dialect, that I
had too often difficulties to understand him.)
Regards
Vital






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