| The cat clays in low-lying coastal areas can be problematic because of the acid sulfate reaction. In Texas there is a lot of alkaline clay which requires some special care. Best thing is to go to your nearest US Soil Conservation Service office and look up the soil type for your location, then read the soil type description. The soil type description probably tells you everything you need to know. Some of the SCS guys are really savy about pond construction as well.
The water source and soils interact to make the pond water quality what it is. A little research on the soil type and water source will provide insight into whether or not you are likely to end up with some weird pond water quality. However, its pretty unusual to find a water source and soil type combination which will not grow fish. Sure water quality affects the fish. However, the very low fish density and the availability of natural forage makes a mud pond much more forgiving than the typical backyard koi reactor. That natural forage works wonders for grazers like koi..
-steve hopkins |