Installing the Liner

Once you have your pond excavated, your next step is to install your liner. This is how you determine the size of liner that you will need.

Determining Liner Size - (Length of pond + twice the depth + 2 feet = length of liner) ; (Width of pond + twice the depth + 2 feet = width of liner)

Before you install your liner you will want to line the inside surfaces of your hole with sifted soil or sand to form a firm smooth base layer for the liner.

Installing the liner

Once you have your sand base it is now time to install your liner. This will require at least 2 people (3 is better)! With a person on each side of the excavation, drag the liner over the excavation adjusting the liner so all sides are even around the edge of the pond. The liner will droop into the pond, but use some rocks or stones around the edges of the pond to keep the liner from falling into the excavation completely (person #3 is placing rocks as #1 and #2 are dragging liner).

After your rocks are in place you will want to start filling your pond with water, adjusting your liner to ensure the liner edges stay even on all sides as the weight of the water begins to stretch the liner. You will have to pick up and move the rocks you placed to allow the liner to sink rather than stretching to fit. Some stretch is OK, but a very tight liner is more apt to puncture later and a tight fit is not required.

Once your pond is full you will want to cover the outside of the pond with rocks, mulch or plants. This will hide the extra pieces of the liner and add a professional look to your pond. It will take a couple of days for the new water in your pond to clear up. After it is clear you can add plants, algae, or fish.

Edging and Rock Placement
The most important aspect to remember in a rock or brick edge to your pond, (whether using mortar or dry stack) is "One on two or two on one." To form a stable border, you should never have a straight seam, it should be staggered and uneven between the rock or brick. No matter what type of pond you are constructing, (formal or informal), you will want to place some type of rocks or stones on the rock ledge. The edging will hide the liner and help to protect it, especially from UV rays from the sun.
These are how simple ponds can be to install, but you can get more technical in your construction process. You can add lights, waterfalls, pumps, skimmers and much more, to find out more check out the other sections on waterfalls and pumps.

The correct way to layer rocks on the outside of your pond

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