Pond Dam Construction and Repair
- The Part of the Pond That Actually Holds the Water
Most ponds that fail do not fail through the bottom. They fail through the dam.
We build dams properly on new ponds and rebuild the ones that are seeping, slumping or washing out. Across Central Texas, out of Johnson City.
Get A FREE Quote Within 24 Hours!
Why Most Dams Fail
It was never keyed in. If a dam is pushed up on top of existing topsoil, water travels along that old ground surface and comes out the other side. The fix is cutting a key trench down into solid material and building the dam into it.
It was not built in lifts. Dirt shoved into place in one pass has voids and soft spots. A proper dam goes up in layers, each one compacted before the next.
The spillway was too small. Water going over the top of a dam will cut it. Spillways have to be sized for the storm you get once a decade, not the rain you get in a normal spring.
Animals. Beavers, nutria and burrowing critters open channels that turn into leaks and eventually into washouts.
How We Build a Dam
We strip the footprint to solid ground and cut a key trench along the centerline. That trench gets filled with good clay and compacted, tying the dam into material water cannot travel through.
Then the dam goes up in compacted lifts of clay-heavy soil. We watch moisture, because dirt that is too dry will not compact and dirt that is too wet will not either.
The upstream face gets a flatter slope than the downstream face so wave action does not undercut it. We cut a spillway at the right elevation and wide enough to carry real flow, and we leave the whole thing shaped so it can be mowed and inspected.
Repairing an Existing Dam
Seepage shows up as a wet spot or a boggy patch on the downstream face, or as a pond that drops to a certain level and stops. Slumping shows up as a dip in the crest or a bulge at the toe.
Depending on severity we either cut the dam back and rebuild the failed section into a proper key, or add a compacted clay blanket on the upstream face. A dam that is actively moving needs attention sooner rather than later, because failures accelerate.
Dam work is quoted on equipment day rates. It is nearly always cheaper than losing the pond.
For the full picture on pricing, see what a pond costs to build in Texas.
What Our Customers Say
★★★★★
“This is the second time using this company. And always quick responses and follow through! Their quality of work is the best in the industry. I’ve reached out to other companies before and usually slow to respond and set a date to come look at the property for a project and no show. That is something you won’t have to worry about by going with Texas Grading.”
Sean Chandler
★★★★★
“Worked with me to get my pond exactly how I wanted it. Taylor communicated well and was willing to cut me a fair deal when things weren’t exactly as expected. Jonathon is an ace with the dozer. The man can move some dirt like icing on a cake. Well done gentlemen!”
Dennis Pacl
★★★★★
“What a great experience. This company was prompt, and right on budget. They made a pond/tank for me on my ranch. The owner and his team were very professional.”
Glenn Gonzales
★★★★★
“These guys are the best! Hands down, if you need any land clearing or ponds done on your property, do yourself a favor and call Taylor!”
David Williams
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dam is leaking?
Look for a wet or boggy area on the downstream face that stays wet when the rest is dry, water seeping at the toe, or a pond that drains to a consistent level and then holds. That last one usually means water is escaping at the elevation of the leak.
Can a leaking dam be repaired, or does the pond have to be rebuilt?
Repaired, almost always. The pond basin is fine. The dam is the problem, and dams can be cut back, keyed in properly and rebuilt. That is far cheaper than starting over.
What is keying in a dam?
Cutting a trench along the dam centerline down into solid, impermeable material, then filling and compacting it so the dam is tied into ground water cannot travel through. Without a key, water follows the old topsoil layer right under the dam. It is the single most skipped step on homeowner-built ponds.
How wide should the spillway be?
Wide enough to pass the runoff from a heavy storm without water going over the dam crest. It depends on your watershed size. When in doubt we cut it wider, because an oversized spillway costs a little extra dirt and an undersized one costs you the dam.
How much does dam repair cost?
Quoted on equipment day rates, since the scope varies from a partial rebuild to a full reconstruction. We come look before quoting.