How to Create a Pond From a Sinkhole
At first sight, a sinkhole might seem to be the perfect location for a pristine pond. The naturally depressed area already accumulates water, and it seems simple enough to just widen the capacity of the hole. Special precautions and consultation are necessary, however, to determine if the project can be done and whether it will be successful. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the water retention qualities of the sinkhole in question. Manually fill the sinkhole with water, and then monitor the water levels daily for a period of two to three weeks. Many sinkholes are sinkholes because they rest atop underground caves or crevices. These won't become reliable ponds, although they may be adequate for temporary water reserves and offer a solution to drainage problems in the area.
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Determine whether the sinkhole size is sufficient or if it will be necessary to widen or deepen the reserve. Some sinkholes are already depressed completely; they have sunk as much as they will sink. Others have only just begun to settle. If the sinkhole retains water in your tests, you can reasonably expect that digging will be worthwhile because there is solid---or mostly solid---ground beneath the soil surface.
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Use a backhoe instead of a bulldozer when digging a sinkhole pond. You want to avoid removing large amounts of earth from the same location where your several-ton machine is sitting. A backhoe will allow earth to be removed at some distance from where your machine sits, offering some protection against the danger of sinkhole collapse.
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Dig the pond to the depth and size necessary for your purposes. Use the soil dug from the deepest part of the pond to build up the banks around the edges, as this will help you reach your desired depth more quickly.
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Monitor your pond regularly throughout the year, especially if you are using it as a fish pond instead of just a water reservoir on your property. Sinkholes often occur in areas where the soil is loosely compacted, so applications of heavy clay soil or bentonite may be necessary to improve water retention.
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