Mysterious Pond Emptying

[Olliebower]

Hi, new to the forum. Woke up this morning to find my garden pond only around a quarter full. About a foot of water missing out of it. So far have found no explanation as to why so much water has disappeared. Was completely full at 9 o clock last night but in 12 hours the water appears to have disappeared with no trace. My pump is functioning normally and all pipes to the filter are in perfect condition. Have found no splits in the liner which is triple layered so there is no chance it's leaked out of there. Absolutely no water trails or wet patches anywhere around the pond or garden and filling the pond back up again slowly has shown the pond is holding water fine. No movement at all in the water level throughout today. I have a small waterfall but this is functioning normally with no leaks or overflowing and it's never caused trouble in the last several years of having this pond. Wondering if anybody else has ever experienced this as me and my family are lost as to how this has happened and are worried that it will happen again and endanger our fish that were lucky to survive this. The only thing I can think is somehow somebody has stolen the water? I know that sounds ridiculous but where does several gallons of water go from a pond without leaving a single trace. Would appreciate any suggestions of how to improve water security and please share any experiences you've had with this issue!

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

Well, the U.K. does have a reputation for some UFO sightings.....!

That is odd, though. How big is your pond and where in the pond do you have the pump located? Do you have plants? Sometimes plants can channel water away from where it’s supposed to go. Another possibility is the waterfall, but you said there was no sign that the water ever made it outside the pond. Waterfalls are notorious for being the cause of leaks.

Any large animals that could have held a late-nite party?

Do you have any outdoor cameras? If not, installing a “pond cam” would be the best way to see what’s going on.

There are others here who have dealt with odd leaks, so maybe someone else can help.

 

[j.w]

@Olliebower
I don't have any ideas if it's true all of your pond items are working fine. Sounds like something somehow diverted the water from your falls perhaps but then where did it go if now wet spots?

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

The few times I have had a big water loss it turned out to be a apple one time, blocked a pipe, deer one time stepped on the edge of the pond (a small pond on a hill) and folded down the liner just a bit, lots of water went out, a ground hog, deer something moved a rock which moved the liner, same small pond, some plants grew too well and blocked the output flow from the another small pond.

It has always been something just need to look hard to find it. Usually something simple to fix.