Paranoid now about hippoing!!

[Marco]

I have dug and lined my pond, more to do with a berm? Etc but picture attached: I am now paranoid about hippoing. First question, should I? What factors will determine risk? I wanted to understand if I pull it all back, dig a hole, add a pipe and have that run to an external pump, would that work in terms of draining hippos? I am trying to avoid large digging works all over again!!

 

[Mmathis]

I must be imagining things as I could have sworn I answered this question today!

 

[j.w]

If your ground never pools up w/water or is never soggy and it drains well you may not ever have a problem. How deep do you have to dig before water shows up? Anyone near you ever have any water issues?

 

[Marco]

If your ground never pools up w/water or is never soggy and it drains well you may not ever have a problem. How deep do you have to dig before water shows up? Anyone near you ever have any water issues?

The water does not pool, can’t see specific issues but it is flat soil.

 

[j.w]

The water does not pool, can’t see specific issues but it is flat soil.

I live in the very wet Pacific N.W in Washington but we have sandy soil so water drains great. Did you say your soil was clay, sandy or somewhat just a mix? If sandy I think you will have no problems but if clay then you might need to do that fix thing just to be safe.

 

[GBBUDD]

With a flat lot it would be worth it to me to run a 3 inch pipe under the pond with two coming up to the surface but caped to not alow dirt in. And the horizontal 3 inch with CUTS in the pipe facing down and laying on fabric . Easy to do doesn't cost a fortune. Takes less than a half a day to build.

But if you don't feel it's a need take the fabric pull it back make more of a depression where a five gallon bucket would fit and dump in 5 gallons of water see how long it takes to drain if it takes half a day or more a underlined drain would be for me

 

[Marco]

So breaking that down.

Roll back linings.
Dig a ditch that can house a 3 inch pipe laid on material
The pipe should have cuts or I can buy pre holed pipe I think?
Just lay the pipe in ditch, I assume the lowest part of the pond?
The pipe comes up both sides of the pond?

 

[GBBUDD]

That would be a way to do it kind of a underdrain 101 yes . And once pipe is in back fill around it with round river rock . It can give the water a way out. It's not to say it will solve every potential issue but it's a good start. It depends on your soil type and water table . Where are you