Ponds That Fill and Hold Water

New pond construction and repair services for rural properties in Tuscola, Texas and surrounding areas.

A pond that holds water through dry months gives you a reliable source for livestock, irrigation, or recreation, but only if the soil is properly compacted and the basin is shaped to collect runoff without eroding. In Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, Clyde, or a surrounding area where clay content varies across properties, building a pond that seals and fills requires site evaluation, correct depth, and careful grading of the dam and spillway.


Seiko Customs LLC handles new pond construction and repair of existing ponds that leak or have damaged spillways. The work includes excavating the basin, shaping berms, compacting the bottom and sides, and grading a spillway to manage overflow safely. You receive a pond designed to capture and hold water, with slopes and depths suited to your intended use and property drainage.


If you need a new pond or want to repair one that does not hold water, reach out to Seiko Customs LLC to discuss your site conditions and project goals.

Building and Repairing a Functional Pond

Pond construction in Tuscola and neighboring communities begin with selecting a site that collects runoff and has enough clay content to hold water. Excavation shapes the basin and builds the dam, with the bottom sloped toward the deepest point to concentrate water. Compaction happens in lifts, pressing soil layers together to reduce seepage and prevent settling after the pond fills.


Once the work is done, you will have a pond with a shaped basin, compacted floor, and a graded spillway that directs overflow away from the dam. Water retention depends on soil compaction, so the pond may take one or more fill cycles to fully seal as clay particles settle and swell. A well-built pond supports livestock watering, aquatic life, and property value for years with minimal maintenance.


Pond repair addresses leaks caused by root penetration, erosion, or poor compaction during original construction. The repair process may include re-grading the dam, adding compacted fill to weak spots, or installing a spillway if overflow is washing out the structure. The service does not include liner installation or pump systems, and it assumes adequate drainage to keep the pond supplied during normal rainfall.

Landowners in Tuscola typically want to understand water retention, maintenance, and how soil type affects pond performance before they move forward with construction or repair.

Things People Ask Before Pond Work Starts

What makes a pond hold water instead of draining into the ground?
Water retention depends on clay content and compaction. Clay particles swell when wet and seal gaps between soil grains, while compaction removes air pockets that let water seep through.
How long does it take to build a pond?
Most residential ponds in Tuscola take three to five days to excavate, shape, and compact, depending on size and soil conditions. Larger ponds or sites with heavy rock may take longer.
Why does a new pond sometimes lose water at first?
New ponds often lose water during the first few fill cycles as the soil settles and clay particles swell to seal small gaps. Persistent loss after several fills may indicate a leak or inadequate clay content.
What causes an existing pond to stop holding water?
Leaks usually result from root penetration, erosion at the spillway, or settling that opens cracks in the dam. Livestock traffic can also compact the edges unevenly and create low spots that leak.
When should a pond be repaired instead of rebuilt?
Repair works when the dam structure and basin shape are sound but leaks or erosion have developed in specific areas. Rebuilding is necessary if the pond was poorly sited, undersized, or built without proper compaction.

Seiko Customs LLC builds and repairs ponds for livestock, recreation, and property value across Tuscola and surrounding rural areas, with attention to soil compaction and drainage design. Get in touch to schedule a site evaluation and review your pond project.