Why Is My Pond Losing Water?
Pond water levels will naturally drop if you have water loss due to hot weather - and in this unseasonably dry summer, most ponds will lose a little water depth without significant enough water loss to cause concern.
However, if you have cracks in your pond liner, or you have a leaking pond that is experiencing water loss above and beyond what you would expect, it can cause havoc for fish and pond plants!
Does Pond Water Loss Mean I Have Cracks in the Pond Liner?
Only about 5% of concerns about a leaking pond turn out to be an actual rip in the pond liner, so the first tip is not to panic!
Water loss occurs naturally at about an inch a week, but hot weather will speed this process up.
If you can add more shade to your pond with some pond plants, you might slow the rate of water loss, but if there isn't a lot of rain during a dry summer, some evaporation is normal.
The caveat is that some species of beautiful Garden Pond Plants such as lilies consume more water, so they might be depleting the pond level without being related to problems with your pond liner!
What Causes Cracks in the Pond Liner?
Heavy duty Pond Liners made from PVC are designed to last at least 40 years, so if you have replaced your pond filters and pond pumps fairly recently, it's unlikely you have a crack causing a leaking pond.
That said, a wildlife pond built without a liner can leak more easily since there isn't a layer of protection between the liner and the substrate or soil underneath.
Pond liner cracks are usually created due to impact, pressure or degradation, so it could be worth checking for sharp stones or rocks - or replacing an older Wooden Pond if the liner is several years old.
How Can I Check if I Have a Leaking Pond?
The easy way to check if your pond liner is failing is to fill your pond to the right level, unplug your Pond Pump and see how the level changes over 24 hours.
If there are no leaks between the pump connections or plumbing, you likely have a liner tear on your hands and need to repair or replace the pond liner to prevent further water loss.