Fill (Pond Size - Liners - Dig)

Once you’ve chosen your location, picked a design and prepared the site, it is time to start digging. Here are the basic steps for digging the hole and laying the liner.

Measuring the hole Mark the general shape of the pond with a rope or hose. Outline the actual pond with paint or builders chalk. If you are using pre-formed liners, dig the hole about a foot wider than the liner. If you are using a liner the hole will be the actual size of the pond.

How to choose a liner

In order to contain your pond you will need some sort of liner. Pre-formed liners retain their shape and are generally easier to install. They are a good choice for smaller ponds and first time pond builders. Pre-formed ponds can also be used for two tiered ponds.
Pond Skins and EPDM heavy weight liners are used for free formed ponds. Pond Skins are light weight and therefore easier to handle. They are designed with a nylon mesh between layers of PVC material. This gives our 14.5 mil pond skins the same strength as regular 20mil liners. Our EPDM heavy duty liners are recommended for ponds with stone or concrete retaining walls or a rocky foundation. Pond liners should be made especially for water gardens. PVC material used for construction is imbued with toxins which can harm or kill your fish and plants.
Pond liners should be bought as a single liner. Liners come in several sizes so order a liner that is slightly larger than the hole. You can cut it down if necessary. Don’t try to splice two pieces together; this can lead to leaking.

Digging the hole

REMEMBER before you dig to call your utility company and have someone come out to mark buried utilities. You will also want to turn off any nearby private lines the utility company may not mark, such as a gas line run to your outdoor grill.
Water is naturally level. If the sides of the pond are uneven, the water will look crooked. You can adjust the sides of you pond by using steaks and a leveling tool. Measure from several directions to insure even sides all the way around.
If your pond is in an area with a high water table, you might need to dig a drainage trench to prevent ground water from pushing the pond’s membrane up from the ground. In most cases a few inches of gravel spread evenly across the bottom of the hole, then covered with sand is enough to handle ground water. If your water table is especially high, drainage trenches should be placed along the edges of the pond walls to draw away ground waters.
Your pond should be 18” or deeper if it is in a region with freezing weather or if you are planning on including certain fish or plants in the pond. Some fish, like koi, need even deeper depths. Smaller and medium size ponds should have very little slope along the walls to create a natural look and prevent a lump or bulge along the edge once the pool is finished.
A deeper pond has a few other benefits worth noting. The water temperature is cooler towards the bottom and this is good for fish during hot summer months. A deep pond also provides shelter for fish from predators.
Plant shelves provide a ledge for plants to rest upon and be easily seen. Many pre-formed liners include plant shelves in the design. If you are using a pond skin or EPDM liner a step along the edge can be dug as a plant shelf.

Laying the Liner
Once the hole is dug, place the liner into the hole. Fill in the soil along the edge of the pre-formed liner. If you are using a pond skin or EPDM liner allow the edge to overlap onto the ground. The liner can be secured with rocks, shale, or other natural material.

After your hole is dug, drainage is in place, and the liner is laid and secured, you’ll be ready to fill the pond with water. It’s time to set up the pump and filter systems.