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76 • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission can expand up to 20 times its original size when moistened. For best results, bentonite should be spread evenly over the dry pond bottom at 1 to 3 pounds per square foot of pond bottom (the higher amount in deep water areas and sandy soils), mixed into the top 4 to 6 inches of existing soil with a disc, moistened, and then compacted with a roller. If feasible, a layer of clay can then be placed over the bentonite/soil mixture. Keep in mind a bentonite sealed bottom will crack and likely leak if the water level drops and it is exposed to air. Ponds may also be sealed by installing a liner of flexible plastic or rubber sheeting made of polyethylene, vinyl, or butyl at least 2 mm thick. To protect against punctures or tears, the pond liner should be covered by at least six inches of fine clay soil. Livestock can also be used to seal a pond. When fenced into the dry basin for several months, their activity will compact a mixture of soil, manure, and waste feed into the bottom, sometimes producing a seal. Once a repaired pond fills, livestock need to be excluded or their hooves may break the seal or puncture liners. An emulsion of oil-soluble resinous polymers can be used to seal a pond without draining. The effectiveness of this material varies with condition and character of the soil, water, and climate, as well as the manner of application. It is expensive and toxic to fish, but a pond can be restocked a few days after the water has cleared. Spreading a bentonite slurry or granular bentonite uniformly across the pond surface can also form a seal. This is often less successful than an application to a dry pond because of uneven settling onto the bottom. The NRCS can help determine the best way to stop leaks based on the soil types found at your pond. You can also contact the Private Waters Specialist or area Commission district office for a list of companies and products available for pond sealing. Filled-In Ponds As they age, ponds accumulate sediment, debris, and decaying vegetation, eventually becoming marshes, and finally dry land. Ponds that have filled with sediment through the years can be rehabilitated, but the process is expensive. If you wish to deepen the existing pond, you can remove sediment with a drag line. A cheaper method is to drain the pond by breaching the dam with a backhoe or to pump it dry. Once the pond has dried for several months, the bottom should be firm enough that a bulldozer or backhoe can be used to remove sediment from the basin. Compacted layers of clay should be used to patch a breached dam. Soil should also be pushed up against the pond side of the dam to ensure the dam is resealed. Contact your local NRCS office to discuss the feasibility of breaching your dam. Non-Fishing Ponds Perhaps your old pond is no longer suitable for producing viable bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish populations and you do not want to spend the time or money to correct environmental problems. The pond can still be managed in ways to provide enjoyment or possibly profit. Some of these uses are: • raising crayfish, salamanders, or minnows for bait • providing habitat for frogs, turtles, snakes, and assorted bugs and birds • creating a marsh or waterfowl area. Raising koi is another option for small ponds, particularly backyard ornamental ponds. Koi are a fancy version of the common carp. Through It is often easier to build a new pond if a good site is available, rather than restoring an old one. The best way to avoid pond leaks is to choose a good site and use proper dam construction techniques.