Bentonite Clay for Pond Leak Repair

Bentonite is available in several different forms and a variety of packaging types.

Our bentonite clay is provided in granular form directly from the processing facility. Depending on the quantity of bentonite you need, we can provide bentonite in 2,000 lb bulk sacks, by bulk truck, or by rail. Request a quote including freight to your location. Please include quantity, receiving address, preferred delivery method, and any special instructions.

Application Rates

To properly apply bentonite to seal a pond, the pond must be drained and the bentonite then incorporated into the soil of the pond bottom and sides. The application rate for bentonite ranges from 2 pounds to more than 5 pounds per square foot depending on the soil characteristics. For clayey and silty soils, 2 pounds per square foot MAY be sufficient. For sandy soils 4 pounds MAY be sufficient and for soil containing gravel and rock, in excess of 5 pounds will be required to obtain a seal. Once the bentonite is applied, the soil should be disk harrowed to mix the soil and bentonite and then compacted. Alternatively, a continuous blanket of bentonite can be applied to the soil and then carefully covered with clean soil or sand to prevent the clay from mobilizing into the water column.

For a leaking embankment, if the location of the leak has been identified, it may be possible to construct a core trench in the embankment to slow the leak. To install a core trench, excavate a minimum 12 inch wide trench to ate least 3 feet below the pond bottom elevation. The trench should be located as far back from the pond edge as possible while still remaining on the flat top of the embankment.

The goal is to create an impervious core in the embankment which will not allow water to pass through. This impervious core can be created in a number of ways. Bentonite can be mixed with the excavated soil at a rate of 30% bentonite and 70% native soil. The material should be placed back in the trench and compacted with a trench roller, plate tamper, or excavator bucket in 6 inch lifts.

Contact us today to for more information about using Bentonite to seal your pond or lake