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Baumeister8631 Mar 2023 00:23Dear forum,
We have a problem. Since we considered the pond on our newly purchased property (with house) too risky for our 1.5-year-old child, we decided to fill it in. The pond (approximately 32 m² (344 sq ft) with depths mostly up to 1.60 m (5.25 ft)) was partially drained by removing as much of the pond liner as possible, then filled in with a mix of edging stones, stones from a terrace, and topsoil. This was done using a mini excavator. The soil was moved around using a Bobcat. The mini excavator was also used elsewhere in the garden, causing some disturbance, so we were advised to spread new topsoil for lawn seeding using the Bobcat. We actually intended to sow the lawn ourselves.
Although the pond area has not visibly settled, water accumulates there during heavy rain. The landscaper told us this is normal and will resolve itself once the grass grows.
Is that really the case? Does water only collect there because it is the lowest point (since soil was simply added everywhere else, raising those areas), or has the former pond area become too compacted due to the excavator and Bobcat traffic? Can we still do anything to improve the situation? Using a tiller or rotary cultivator will likely not get very far because of the stones.
Thank you very much for your helpful advice,
Stephan
We have a problem. Since we considered the pond on our newly purchased property (with house) too risky for our 1.5-year-old child, we decided to fill it in. The pond (approximately 32 m² (344 sq ft) with depths mostly up to 1.60 m (5.25 ft)) was partially drained by removing as much of the pond liner as possible, then filled in with a mix of edging stones, stones from a terrace, and topsoil. This was done using a mini excavator. The soil was moved around using a Bobcat. The mini excavator was also used elsewhere in the garden, causing some disturbance, so we were advised to spread new topsoil for lawn seeding using the Bobcat. We actually intended to sow the lawn ourselves.
Although the pond area has not visibly settled, water accumulates there during heavy rain. The landscaper told us this is normal and will resolve itself once the grass grows.
Is that really the case? Does water only collect there because it is the lowest point (since soil was simply added everywhere else, raising those areas), or has the former pond area become too compacted due to the excavator and Bobcat traffic? Can we still do anything to improve the situation? Using a tiller or rotary cultivator will likely not get very far because of the stones.
Thank you very much for your helpful advice,
Stephan
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Osnabruecker31 Mar 2023 06:14Highly void-rich waste material and significant settlement behavior of topsoil...
This will remain a depression.
This will remain a depression.
In der Ruine31 Mar 2023 06:27Baumeister86 schrieb:
then filled the hole with a mixture of edging stones, terrace stones, and topsoil.Was it worth saving the cost of the container?Now simply refill with a sand-soil mix until the ground is stable and level.
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HilfeHilfe31 Mar 2023 06:49It is normal for the ground to settle... Soil compacts over time. You can plan the project for 2-3 years and keep adding fill as needed.
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chand198631 Mar 2023 07:03HilfeHilfe schrieb:
It’s normal for the ground to settle... soil compacts over time. You can plan the project over 2-3 years and keep adding fill as needed.In that time, a child could have learned to swim...However, I see the main issue right now is that coarse material was used for backfilling. If that’s the case, compaction needs to be done afterward—has that been done? If not, do it now: add fill, compact again. Only after that will it make sense to sow the grass seed.
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Bausparfuchs31 Mar 2023 07:21Just a simple question: where is the water supposed to go?
The pond is still a pond because the liner underneath prevents water from draining away. Filling in the pond doesn’t change that. It might get drier, and the problem may ease somewhat, but water will still collect and remain in the former pond bottom. This will continue through the autumn and winter months.
To at least allow the water to drain, the pond liner needs to be made permeable. You could drill holes in it or excavate and create openings. Otherwise, you will always have a marshy area there.
The pond is still a pond because the liner underneath prevents water from draining away. Filling in the pond doesn’t change that. It might get drier, and the problem may ease somewhat, but water will still collect and remain in the former pond bottom. This will continue through the autumn and winter months.
To at least allow the water to drain, the pond liner needs to be made permeable. You could drill holes in it or excavate and create openings. Otherwise, you will always have a marshy area there.
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