The primary function of any pond is to hold water. v Lowering the pond level an inch or two below the stable water level will allow some additional space for inspection. Careful inspection is in order for all ponds. Concrete ponds in freezing climates may have been subject to freeze damage or settling if not on a firm foundation.
The key issue for many ponds is finding the exact leaking area. Children playing in the pond, or well-meaning landscaping near the pond may result in leakage as well. If the details of construction are known, the inspection can focus on finding the leak. Isolating the systems is the key to finding the leak point. If the leak appears when the pump is running, then turn off the pump to see if the containment leaks at all. Even very small cracks or holes can leak substantial amounts of water. If the basic containment is intact, the next step is to isolate any other system components to check for leaks. Edge leaks will generally leave evidence as wet spots along the edge. Dry days are the best for checking pond integrity.
By building a pond with a variety of "inspection points" around the edges, it can be very simple to check pond edges for adequate liner height. - Fold some liner under the edges to have some additional liner available if settling occurs or the owner desires some small modifications. Also check for liner folds that may allow for channeling of the water. Any waterfall or stream should have a liner that overlaps the basic water containment.
