[dizzylizzie]

Rubellite - if your pond doesn't hold water then in the summer you may have to puddle it - which is what we did at college - alternate layers of straw and clay not only does this help with the walls of the pond but depending on what straw you use it can help with algae problems (barley straw is best for this). If you go down this route I would love to come and give you a hand as we had great fun doing it although I did keep getting my wellies stuck in the clay and falling over 

i would pay good money to watch that!!!
Pleassssseeeee let me watch Joy get stuck in the mud....i mean you puddling the pool

[8doubles]

what are dousing rods   Is there any potential for the supply to be 'cleaned up' and used for the house supply?  Would I collect some of the dripping water and send it off somewhere to be tested.  Never mind duck pond, I spend a fortune on spring water!

There must be somewhere you could take a sample to get it tested though you would probably have to test on a regular basis to check for seasonal nasties. Water Authorities or local Universities might help.

Have a look on Youtube for the dowsing , the bent wires method does work i`ve done it.

[Rubellite]

Rubellite - do you have a local agricultural college near you? if you do then you could also ask if they want to come and puddle - it would be good for those on a wetlands or countryside studies course to have a go  

There's an idea  :happy:
But does this mean you're chickening out?  

[joyfull]

no way, I will be there if you want me even if it's only for the amusement value of watching me fall over 

[madcat]

Have a look on Youtube for the dowsing , the bent wires method does work i`ve done it.

Dowsing is one of those things where you can or you cant - try and see.  Annoyingly I cant, my brother was brilliant (and he didnt believe it worked which was funny) and my dad is good.  If you dont get any joy get someone else to try before you give up.

[8doubles]

I was cynical about dowsing till i tried it , quite eerie if you can`t explain why it happens.

[Sassy]

Rubellite - if your pond doesn't hold water then in the summer you may have to puddle it - which is what we did at college - alternate layers of straw and clay not only does this help with the walls of the pond but depending on what straw you use it can help with algae problems (barley straw is best for this). If you go down this route I would love to come and give you a hand as we had great fun doing it although I did keep getting my wellies stuck in the clay and falling over 

I have also read about 'puddling' using sheep to tread down the clay and make it more impermeable - maybe you could borrow some.

Think of things you may be able to recyle. I have used an old fibreglass dinghy that was going to be cut up and taken to the tip. I made - and I am not handy at all - a ramp for the ducks and attached it with those plastic ties that you can get at any hardware store. The dinghy also had moulded seating around it so that the ducks are able to get out easily. One of my wheelbarrows has just died but the container will hold water so I have cut the metal frame off and that will do as an additional splash about. Both of these things are easily emptied and cleaned.

Good luck