POND LINER INSTALLATION GUIDE

1. Site Considerations - Whenever possible, site selection should avoid areas

where flooding or ground water pressure can occur. The lining bottom
should be well above the water table. If the site selected is in an area where
organics are in the soil, or if gases can be generated by chemical reaction, the
design must allow for venting
2. Surface Preparations - Surfaces should be level and free of all sharp rocks
(all rock and stone greater than .05 diameter), objects, vegetation and
stubble. (Soil sterilization may be necessary to kill roots and certain types of
grasses.) The subgrade surface should provide a unyielding foundation for the
Pond Liner with no sharp or abrupt changes or break in grade. Proper
compaction assures stability and support of the liner. Rough ground and
standing water, mud, snow any excessive moisture is counterproductive
for liner deployment.
3. Controlling Groundwater - Groundwater should be taken into account and,
if present, it will need to be controlled both during and after construction. One
method for controlling groundwater is to develop a French drain system under
the lining that allows the water to flow laterally under the lining without
floating the lining.
A good design for an under drain is to pipe it to the outside of the lake into a
gravel sump. This allows the sump to run continuously during construction
and, with the placement of an upright at this sump, the under drain can be
pumped if needed to relieve hydrostatic pressure and gas buildup under the
lining system.
4. Slopes - Side slopes should be no steeper than 3:1 whenever feasible. Slopes
are usually hand-raked to achieve proper smoothness.
5. Receipt of Liner and Materials - Liner panels are fabricated into large
sheets to minimize field seaming. These large panels are first accordion
folded, then rolled up on a core.
It is recommended that the liners panels protective covering not be removed
until installation and that any uncovered panels be stored out of direct
sunlight.
6. Anchor Trenches - To secure the edges of the lining in an earthen pit, an
anchor trench is dug. Anchor trenches are approx. two foot wide by two foot
deep (2 x 2) and one foot back from the crest of the berm (standard trench
dimensions and depth vary according to project design.)
Dirt removed should be raked out flat on the far side of the trench, away from
the pit, to be used to backfill after the liner edges are laid out in the anchor
trench, while allowing the panels to be unrolled along the berm. Slightly
rounding corners of the trench avoids sharp bends in the Pond Liner. The
trench itself needs to be free of loose soil and rocks.
7. Site Structures - Structures, piping, concrete, drains, and any associated
work should be completed prior to lining installation.
8. Liner Deployment - The roll is raised by a loader, forklift, or other lifting
equipment, and then unrolled in one direction, and unfolded in the other
direction.
9. Panel Placement - Take time when unloading and placing rolls of lining to
avoid damage. Verify the location of a panel or sheet before unrolling and
placement to avoid improper alignment. Sandbags are required to keep the
panels in place during installation, exposed or covered. Care should be taken
to avoid wrinkles in the seam areas and around mechanical attachments.
It takes considerable manpower to deploy a liner. It is pulled but not
stretched. Minor wrinkles insure the liner is installed in a relaxed condition. A
ballast system (sand bags) and anchor trenches are used for all Pond Liner
installations.
10. Field Seaming - The lining material itself determines the types of field
seaming techniques used. The most commonly used process is heat fusion
welding, which can be done with hot air or hot wedge.