How to Prevent a Preformed Pond Liner From Overflowing

When a homeowner sets up a water garden with a preformed pond liner, a garden hose is used to fill it to the correct height. When it rains, the preformed pond liner may overflow and damage the surrounding landscaping, as well as jeopardize aquatic plants in the pond. Pond owners should take steps to prevent it from overflowing to minimize damage due to runoff.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric drill
• Vinyl window screen
• Gravel or small stones
• Scissors or utility knife
• Sealant or adhesive

Prevent a Preformed Pond Liner From Overflowing

1. Excavate some of the dirt or rock that surrounds one side of your preformed pond liner. Depending on the size of the pond, this section can be as small as 1-foot long or run the whole length of the pond. If you have excessive overflowing on a regular basis, a larger trench is needed.

2. Bail several inches of water out of the pond. This can be done with a bucket or with a siphon hose. Be sure the water flows well away from the ground on which you are working.

3. Drill a hole through the preformed pond liner near its top, but at a level that would be under the ground, rocks or paving stones that surround your water garden. This hole will be the overflow outlet, so be sure it is at a level where you would like the pond water to stay.

4. Cut of piece of vinyl window screen larger than the hole you've drilled. Use waterproof sealant or adhesive to attach it to the outside of the preformed pond liner over the hole. This will prevent dirt or debris from entering the pond this way.

5. Fill the rest of the trench that you dug with the gravel or small stones. The water will be able to flow easily out away from the pond and then be filtered into the ground without creating a mud puddle. For larger problems with overflowing ponds, extend the trench away from the preformed pond liner and fill that with gravel as well.

6. Lay a small sheet of window screen over the gravel, extending slightly into the surrounding ground. You may also use sheets of landscaping cloth like the type used to prevent weed sprouting. The idea is to keep dirt out of the gravel as much as possible while still allowing water to drain through.

7. Cover the screen and gravel with dirt or the stones or pavers used to surround your water garden. Fill the pond back up with a garden hose to the correct height. Replace any ornaments or plants that were moved in the excavation process and your landscape will now be protected from an overflowing preformed pond liner.

References

• Backyard Pond Water Garden Resource