Pond Construction & Restoration in the Texas Hill Country
New ponds, dam work, and restoring ponds that have silted in or stopped holding water.
A pond should still be holding water years after it’s built. Whether it does depends on decisions made before anyone starts digging: the soil, the site, the berms and spillways, and the liner.
Tierra Linda Services builds new ponds and restores old ones across the Hill Country and South Texas. We evaluate the soil and site first, then choose the right liner and compaction approach for that specific pond: native clay, bentonite, or a 45-mil liner. No one-size-fits-all fix.
Pond Services
- New pond construction for stock, wildlife, and recreation
- Dam and berm construction
- Spillways sized to handle overflow during heavy rain
- Pond restoration and clean-outs for ponds that have silted in
- Repairing ponds that have stopped holding water
- Liners: native clay, bentonite, or 45-mil
Built to Hold Water
Hill Country rain can be months apart and then arrive all at once. A pond has to be built for both. One pond we built sat waiting for rain. When it finally came, the pond filled up, the berms and spillways worked as designed, and the deep end held about 12 feet of water.
That comes down to the work underneath: the right liner for the soil, proper compaction, and spillways that let excess water out without damaging the dam.
Choosing the Right Liner
Not every site needs the same thing:
- Native clay. When the soil on site has enough clay, compacting it properly can create a seal without bringing in other material.
- Bentonite. A clay additive that swells when wet to help seal soils that won’t hold water on their own.
- 45-mil liner. A synthetic liner for sites where the soil can’t be counted on to hold water.
We look at your soil before recommending one, so you aren’t paying for more liner than the site needs, or less than it actually requires.
What Affects the Cost of a Pond
- Pond size and depth
- Soil type and which liner the site needs
- Dam, berm, and spillway work
- Clearing needed around the pond site
- Access for equipment
- For restorations, how much silt has to come out
Request a quote and we’ll evaluate the site with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my pond hold water?
Usually it comes down to the soil, the seal, or the dam. We evaluate the site and recommend a fix, whether that’s re-compacting clay, adding bentonite, or installing a liner.
Can you clean out a pond that has silted in?
Yes. We restore silted-in ponds by removing the built-up material and reshaping the pond.
How long does it take a new pond to fill?
It depends on rainfall and your watershed. Some ponds fill with the first big rain, and others take a season or more.
Do you build spillways?
Yes. We build berms and spillways sized to handle overflow without damaging the dam.
Where We Work
Based in Castroville, we work across Medina County, the Texas Hill Country, and South Texas — including Hondo, Devine, Lytle, Boerne, Bandera, Helotes, and the San Antonio area. Not sure if your property is in range? Give us a call.
Related Services
Planning a pond?
Call (830) 355-8528 or send us a few details about your property, and we’ll set up a time to come look at it in person.