Pond Dam Leaking

Does anyone have any luck repairing a leaking pond dam? Some muskrats seem to have dug into the dam, causing the water to slowly seep through. There is a corresponding wet spot at the bottom center of the dam.
Any thoughts? Thanks.

Hire a trackhoe and cut a 'keyway' the length of the dam, deep enough to get well below the leak; backfill with good clay soil; around 'here', a medium size hoe goes for $100 per hour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentonite

Hey Sean, you see the Yanks are comming undone, By, by, Hedeki, LOL, J

Is that dam on a waterway, creek that travels to your downstream neighbor? If it is you had better review the state codes on water rights.

Gordo

Bentonite clay on the water side spread 1 to 2" thick, then covered in 2" sharp edged crushed stone, about 4" thick. The bentonite clay is water reacting (it swells up exposed to water) and is also water proof when wet. Stops the leak. If the water can be let out it is easier, but if not it can be applied under water as well. JimN

I have considerable experience with this. Powdered Bentonite clay is the answer but depending on soil etc. it may not work just pouring it in. We take a plumbing probe and plumb for the channel betwween the leak and where it is running out the backside. Widen the hole to about 4 inches with a staff and sift that Bentonite down in there. If you can see the green color of the Bentonite coming out of the leak , you are on the right track. You may need fill dirt after the leak is stopped if it washed soil away. Heavy clay soil is much better than topsoil when adding dirt. Now last and most importantly those 'skrats have got to go unless you want to haul bentonite from now to eternity. They are dumd and easy to trap. Buy 110 conibear traps at your local farm supply or mail order. Victor and Duke trap companys through the mail or Web. Set the traps in active runs before ice up. Consult your local game laws but here if they're damaging your lake you can kill them year round but can't sell the hide. We also shoot the muskrats when we're fishing. It is an ongoing task. If you manage to kill them all eventually more come. You will have nothing but more leaks if you don't control the muskrats. ("Swamp chicken" on the menu of deep south greasy spoons.) Good luck. Hope this helps.

No need to recore the entire dam. Clay works and
ill bet in your case just a few bags dumped in the place the animal has dug in will fix the problem. Several large clay outfits here in Tenn.
Usually they have some junk when I go that will give away.. Have sealed several leaks that way.

I see you have A problem with pond leaking.
I have the oppose problem. I had 2 pipe in my dam for
overflow from spillway.
The beavers stoped up the pipe then started
daming up my spillway. It did rise the water
level on my pond. I would dig it out, A few
nights later it would be damed up again.
I have lots of beavers here in E. Texas.
Most every time A beaver see water running, they try to stop it.
Now, if you get some beavers to put in your pond,
I belive they will seal it tight.
If you have some timber close by.
Hammer Man, From TX.

best and Most productive way is to get Ya' some hoggs ... and or raise about 5sowsand piggs in there ,,,

I have fixed several different ways, You can try Bentonite applied by Broadcasting over the water will work on small leak, Best way is to pump down pond and at the leak area and dig out soft material and replace with good clay compacted in, and some Bentonite mixed in with it will help ensure a good job, If after pumping down you cant tell where the leak is till up the area with disc and pack back down,Depending on your pond and what materials you have to work with you can also line the pond with a foot of clay, or two feet of topsoil to seal it off,

every body suggesting bentinite needs to remember it needs to be worked in to the soil good then compacted .