Clay Liners and Geosynthetic Liners for Pond Bottoms

[mbherlihy]

I am practicing in the state of Georgia. I had to use a Water Balance equation for the first time last week. Results show that I must line the bottom of my Micro Pool with a clay liner and/ or a geosynthetic liner to significatly reduce the infiltration rate of the soil...(i need to maintain a permanenet pool of water, year round).


I don't have any good references of how to properly specify either the clay liner or the geosynthetic liner. Can anyone be of assistance? I've seen some older plans in our shop that call out 8" of clay liner, but that's it... please help...

Thank you~!

 

[DMcGrath]

You have lots of options, and it usually boils down to cost (installation & maintenance) and longevity. If this is a pond that will require sediment removal then protecting the liner system is vital.

That being said, your options fall in four general categories:
Amend in-place soils with bentonite
Import clay
Install a geomembrane liner (HDPE, PVC, etc.)
Install a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL)

The pros and cons of each, as well as the installation costs vary depending on the size and location of the project. I recommend you get some local help so you don't end up specifying something that either won't work well or works, but costs way too much.

 

[MEM1]

If onsite soils have enough fines, you may check into adding soda ash ammendments.

 

[bltseattle]

Ideas:

For clay based liner, ask your geotech and/or look for SCS/NRCS specs/instruction for farm fire/irrigation ponds.

For geosynthetic, check with manufacturer.

Bentomat claymax is a roll-out clay liner that can self-heal, worth considering too.