Anyone made a pond / ride through splash? Any ideas for the groundworks?

[F for Fidget]

Hi,
We are having an arena put in but doing some groundworks at the same time including sorting out or pond where we are slooping the edges to make it possible to ride through it.
We are in Norfolk on clay soil. They guys doing the groundworks have recommended putting in membrane and then limestone but we were also thinking of topping this with natural 10mm shingle and maybe sand as it would be to coarse to ride on limestone only. Would love the idea to be able to jump in / canter through as part of mini cross country course.

If anyone has made one or has got advice how to do the groundworks please let us know. I'll let you know how we get on
Thanks!

 

[scruffyponies]

You could do this in the same way as 'dew ponds' used to be made in high well drained areas. Dig your hole, and line with clay. Then fence some sheep or pigs so that they trample the clay thoroughly (you can do this mechanically, or by your own feet, but sheep is traditional, and much easier). That drives all the air out of the clay and compacts it, after which it should fill with rain naturally.

Some of our local dew ponds have been holding water on chalk downlands without maintenance for several hundred years!

 

[PeterNatt]

As part of our Cross Country Course we had a water jump installed and this was done as per your contractors suggestion It is absolutely fine to canter through as the lime stone seems to crumble a bit once under water so it has an excellent surface.

 

[F for Fidget]

Thanks! @PeterNatt was this limestone only of limestone with natural shingle? Thanks

You could do this in the same way as 'dew ponds' used to be made in high well drained areas. Dig your hole, and line with clay. Then fence some sheep or pigs so that they trample the clay thoroughly (you can do this mechanically, or by your own feet, but sheep is traditional, and much easier). That drives all the air out of the clay and compacts it, after which it should fill with rain naturally.

Some of our local dew ponds have been holding water on chalk downlands without maintenance for several hundred years!

 

[F for Fidget]

You could do this in the same way as 'dew ponds' used to be made in high well drained areas. Dig your hole, and line with clay. Then fence some sheep or pigs so that they trample the clay thoroughly (you can do this mechanically, or by your own feet, but sheep is traditional, and much easier). That drives all the air out of the clay and compacts it, after which it should fill with rain naturally.

Some of our local dew ponds have been holding water on chalk downlands without maintenance for several hundred years!

Thanks, it seems tomhold
Water naturally but if not we will try this

 

[Merry neddy man]

Try an e-mail to Somerford Park etc or even one of the 3DE courses for advice.

 

[cauda equina]

The water at Burnham Market looks to have a limestone base
As that's what your groundworks guys are recommending I'd go with that