Unless we get June monsoons, no,Curtis, your pond may not hold water. When we dug ours (in the same CONTEXT (soil textures/ rock) as you, it took a year of silt settling before it sealed itself solid enough that it didn't go all the way dry! Cheers, and let's pray for rain this summer, my friend ...Kyler
That's what I was saying before about your top pond.. If you can't get it to hold water, at least it's small enough where you can line it with plastic if you have to and that will make it hold the water.. You can always dump another layer of dirt over the plastic for wild life to live and feed on, etc. But then that pond would always stay full. I think you'll probably experiment for a couple more seasons before you take that leap. But it's not a bad option; just as a last resort.
What you are describing is the same in New Brunswick, winter came late and was mild with really low precipitation. We have 6-7 inches of snow on the ground when we would normally have 3 or 4 feet.
Love the melting season in the mountains. Let's you see the ground flows in a new light. Thank for sharing you process. One question I had about sealing the pond. Would duck's and or other plants like cat tails be helpful in your process? Duck poop I heard has a sealing affect. I haven't heard you decuss that option and I assume it because of your use of the water on the homestead.
Nice! A lot of work for sure. I can't help but think that as the ponds fill, the sediment will cause those fractures to seal and stop the leaking. The bentonite clay will do the same thing for sure.
The perfect time to spread bentonite clay on a pond is now. You can spread it across the entire pond equally walking and spreading on the ice. As it melts down it goes. Over time silt will plug the fractures most likely not in your lifetime. Pond building is an art, once you feel bedrock leave a foot of material on top. Lets hope for the best👍
We got 5 inches of rain last week a little at a time but it never stopped and my pond which I keep raising but I found a leak coming out of the bottom and it drives me crazy. I’ve been out there with the excavator all day, adding to my damn and compacting. I noticed the minnows are feeling frisky all around the shoreline I really like my pond to so do the grandkids, put a life jacket on and let them go
Just got 1/2 our pond dug in fall before the weather moved in. It will only hold about about 150,000l when done. It will collect over flow from our water harvesting system. I’m surprised that the pond is 1/2 full already and we aren’t even in the rainy spring which is a bit of a concern as the berm we built I don’t think has had enough natural compaction yet. I’m thinking I’ll have to add an over flow to it earlier than expected. I guess that’s a good problem to have.
Beautiful set up you building there. I would cut those trees in and around the lower part of the dam wall. Roots will still be an hazzard for a bunch of years to come.
Damn, that climate is so cool... Not that you would need this but would be really cool to see some kind of air water catchment experiment on days like that - getting water out of clouds like they do in some places in Africa and South America, I think. And the soggy places would be amazing for elderberry, they would grow like crazy!
Curtis, after a cursory look it seems unlikely that the Damit product is what we would normally think of as a microplastic but is more likely something akin to xanthan. In the oil & gas industry xanthan and or modified starch based drilling mud is commonly referred to polymer.
Well keep us posted on the bentonite solution. My pond leaks but it gets fed by underground springs. It only went lower than usual this year because we had less rain than average which I believe feeds the underground springs too
omg trust me@@offgridcurtisstone I know. It's you that needs to learn something. Find me. Diego Garcia. You are totally misreading the entire situation. We just finished week three podcast of our series and you have fallen further behind.
You thinking I'm a fan boy is hysterical@@offgridcurtisstone. That is just an false image of me, someone you don't know at all, made by your perception through prejudiced, biased filters. This approach is dangerous as it leads to not knowing who you are talking to, or what you are talking about. This being a great test study in that very thing. I've presented videos of my comments being deleted here. But those have been deleted. The comments of others also telling you to listen to me for a moment have been deleted, and these things are happening - not because you are important my man - but because the information I'm attempting to share with you is. Im not a fanboy. You need to get over yourself to be able to see. What would be sad is know one day that you were this close. Ground floor, goin up!
@@offgridcurtisstone that is true but it is tricky to apply correctly. I hope you can find the right application method for your case. Worst case scenario you can use a bentonite geotextile like Richard used for his ponds in Sweden.
Hey Curtis, Like I said when you started spreading that DAMIT sh#t. It wont work!! The bentonite spread won't work either!! Why? Because all clay based seals happen from compaction only, period!! Clay just thrown around in water will not seal, it will just emulsify. However when clay particals are heavly compacted, as they hydrate from exposure to moisture the preasure of each partical forms a pressurised grid lock that is impermeable to water. That's why even a bentonite layer will need some compressive resistanse to form a seal. Natural ponds that seal are built with COMPACTED clay subsoils. Just invest in a bentonite impregnated geo-fabric and put 200mm (minimum) of compacted clay soil over top. Sealed for life - done! You'll never look back! Check out some of our natural earthern ponds here: ua-cam.com/video/HfBWPn3BMxk/v-deo.htmlsi=7rCWxeeo5hgzZB8-
@@offgridcurtisstone no, don't worry about this. That's the thing with the bentonite geo-fabric. It's a layer of bentonite sandwiched between 2 layers of geo-fabric. This means that if the geo-fab punches the bentonite will self heal the puncture, but it needs earthern pressure against it so that as the bentonite swells the particals interlock. If there are ridges and valleys in the bedrock smooth them out with compacted clay then lay the geo down. Now lay 200-300mm of clay and compact in 100mm lifts. On a pond that size 3-5 12tonne dumper loads of clay will do it. You could track roll it with your 5 tonne excavator of a smaller 3 tonne might work better. Slightly dampen the layers as you compact too. It should be hard as rock when compacted! Sheepfoots rollers are best.
Unless we get June monsoons, no,Curtis, your pond may not hold water.
When we dug ours (in the same CONTEXT (soil textures/ rock) as you, it took a year of silt settling before it sealed itself solid enough that it didn't go all the way dry!
Cheers, and let's pray for rain this summer, my friend
...Kyler
Seeing you develop your property has been an inspiration. Thank you.
That's what I was saying before about your top pond.. If you can't get it to hold water, at least it's small enough where you can line it with plastic if you have to and that will make it hold the water.. You can always dump another layer of dirt over the plastic for wild life to live and feed on, etc. But then that pond would always stay full. I think you'll probably experiment for a couple more seasons before you take that leap. But it's not a bad option; just as a last resort.
Your voice and content are ASMR. When I need to relax end of day, I listen to you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for sharing your ponds. Glad it's working out for you.
What a winter in Canada, low snow maintenance. Great idea with your ponds. At more for all your water needs. Thanks Curtis 😁
What you are describing is the same in New Brunswick, winter came late and was mild with really low precipitation. We have 6-7 inches of snow on the ground when we would normally have 3 or 4 feet.
Love the melting season in the mountains. Let's you see the ground flows in a new light. Thank for sharing you process.
One question I had about sealing the pond. Would duck's and or other plants like cat tails be helpful in your process? Duck poop I heard has a sealing affect. I haven't heard you decuss that option and I assume it because of your use of the water on the homestead.
Nice! A lot of work for sure. I can't help but think that as the ponds fill, the sediment will cause those fractures to seal and stop the leaking. The bentonite clay will do the same thing for sure.
The perfect time to spread bentonite clay on a pond is now. You can spread it across the entire pond equally walking and spreading on the ice. As it melts down it goes. Over time silt will plug the fractures most likely not in your lifetime. Pond building is an art, once you feel bedrock leave a foot of material on top. Lets hope for the best👍
Clay or manure, both work well. A other thing Will be to send Kids with rakes in summer to mix the particles ať bottom. Like hogs do with their ponds.
Might be a bit sketchy on the ice right now but if we get another freeze that would be sweet.
I guess you need a gcl liner for this. But that would need way shallower banks and 30cm soil above and below the liner.
We got 5 inches of rain last week a little at a time but it never stopped and my pond which I keep raising but I found a leak coming out of the bottom and it drives me crazy. I’ve been out there with the excavator all day, adding to my damn and compacting. I noticed the minnows are feeling frisky all around the shoreline I really like my pond to so do the grandkids, put a life jacket on and let them go
Just got 1/2 our pond dug in fall before the weather moved in. It will only hold about about 150,000l when done. It will collect over flow from our water harvesting system. I’m surprised that the pond is 1/2 full already and we aren’t even in the rainy spring which is a bit of a concern as the berm we built I don’t think has had enough natural compaction yet. I’m thinking I’ll have to add an over flow to it earlier than expected. I guess that’s a good problem to have.
This winter is a worst case scenario for new earthworks... deep freeze followed by a impressive melt
Wish we could see you in Acupulco! It's a ways to drive from Puerto Vallarta..
A long drive? Really?
Love it
Hi Curtis, please read the book The great controversy, it will explain everything. God bless
Very interesting, Curtis - thanks! Is the water all used for irrigation? Do you drink it? Anyway, you're a natural educator, glad you're out there!
Fire and swimming mostly.
Beautiful set up you building there.
I would cut those trees in and around the lower part of the dam wall. Roots will still be an hazzard for a bunch of years to come.
Damn, that climate is so cool... Not that you would need this but would be really cool to see some kind of air water catchment experiment on days like that - getting water out of clouds like they do in some places in Africa and South America, I think. And the soggy places would be amazing for elderberry, they would grow like crazy!
It's one of those things where the cost and time of doing that, based on the return. Not the right context here.
You need a bever to fix that up.
lol the frown at the beginning
Why not use a silage tarp
Why?
Curtis, after a cursory look it seems unlikely that the Damit product is what we would normally think of as a microplastic but is more likely something akin to xanthan. In the oil & gas industry xanthan and or modified starch based drilling mud is commonly referred to polymer.
Thanks for that.
I heard if you drain it and keep some hogs in there for a year or so they will seal it
That would be such a hassle and hogs don’t like bedrock too much. Especially shale.
Well keep us posted on the bentonite solution. My pond leaks but it gets fed by underground springs. It only went lower than usual this year because we had less rain than average which I believe feeds the underground springs too
Thanks for the very special Skyrim tour. What MODS do you use?
@00:49 a glitch in the Matrix 😮
You asked the question I've been waiting for a decade to hear. I can't answer you though. lol I'm Diego Garcia on youtube.
You've been waiting a decade to get an answer from me? Brother, elevate yourself. I'm just a guy. No more important than you.
omg trust me@@offgridcurtisstone I know. It's you that needs to learn something. Find me. Diego Garcia. You are totally misreading the entire situation. We just finished week three podcast of our series and you have fallen further behind.
That mindset will keep you in the gutter. Don't really care about your take on things because your attitude is pretty sad. Take care.
You thinking I'm a fan boy is hysterical@@offgridcurtisstone. That is just an false image of me, someone you don't know at all, made by your perception through prejudiced, biased filters. This approach is dangerous as it leads to not knowing who you are talking to, or what you are talking about. This being a great test study in that very thing.
I've presented videos of my comments being deleted here. But those have been deleted. The comments of others also telling you to listen to me for a moment have been deleted, and these things are happening - not because you are important my man - but because the information I'm attempting to share with you is.
Im not a fanboy. You need to get over yourself to be able to see. What would be sad is know one day that you were this close. Ground floor, goin up!
We use salt to seal our ponds.
If you put 100 ducks in that big top pond, it will seal it.
Bentonite clay sounds way easier and faster. Plus, less shit.
@@offgridcurtisstone that is true but it is tricky to apply correctly. I hope you can find the right application method for your case.
Worst case scenario you can use a bentonite geotextile like Richard used for his ponds in Sweden.
Yes. That will be my last resort
Hey Curtis,
Like I said when you started spreading that DAMIT sh#t. It wont work!! The bentonite spread won't work either!! Why? Because all clay based seals happen from compaction only, period!! Clay just thrown around in water will not seal, it will just emulsify. However when clay particals are heavly compacted, as they hydrate from exposure to moisture the preasure of each partical forms a pressurised grid lock that is impermeable to water. That's why even a bentonite layer will need some compressive resistanse to form a seal. Natural ponds that seal are built with COMPACTED clay subsoils. Just invest in a bentonite impregnated geo-fabric and put 200mm (minimum) of compacted clay soil over top. Sealed for life - done! You'll never look back! Check out some of our natural earthern ponds here:
ua-cam.com/video/HfBWPn3BMxk/v-deo.htmlsi=7rCWxeeo5hgzZB8-
Thanks for this. My challenge with the geotextile is my jagged bedrock underneath.
@@offgridcurtisstone no, don't worry about this. That's the thing with the bentonite geo-fabric. It's a layer of bentonite sandwiched between 2 layers of geo-fabric. This means that if the geo-fab punches the bentonite will self heal the puncture, but it needs earthern pressure against it so that as the bentonite swells the particals interlock. If there are ridges and valleys in the bedrock smooth them out with compacted clay then lay the geo down. Now lay 200-300mm of clay and compact in 100mm lifts. On a pond that size 3-5 12tonne dumper loads of clay will do it. You could track roll it with your 5 tonne excavator of a smaller 3 tonne might work better. Slightly dampen the layers as you compact too. It should be hard as rock when compacted! Sheepfoots rollers are best.
brain fart @0:46
Forgot to edit that part ;)
@@offgridcurtisstone nah best part
Hey Curt,did you manage to get any snowboarding in🏂 this winter?
Yes. Not nearly as much as I wanted though, but an early spring is nice too.