Constructing a dam is no small feat, and one of the most critical steps in ensuring its effectiveness is proper sealing. Dams, especially earthen ones, require an impervious barrier to prevent water seepage, which could weaken the structure and reduce its water storage capacity. Clay, with its fine particles and unique plasticity, has been used as a sealing material for centuries. But not all clays are created equal. In this article, we delve into the right types of clay to use when sealing a new dam.
Tag Archives: bentonite
Dam Building
A Beginner’s Guide To Building Your First Earth Dam
Quick Answer: Building an earth dam starts with getting the soil right — you need ...
Continue reading
Dam Building
Roy Hill Project: Delivering A Major Dam In Mining Country
Roy Hill Project: Delivering A Major Dam In Mining Country Gina Rinehart’s $10 billion Roy ...
Continue reading
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Earth dam repair requires professional diagnosis before any repair work begins. The most common repair needs are clay core failures, compaction defects, tree root damage, animal burrowing, and settlement cracking. Most leaking dams can be repaired for 40–60% of …
The Razorback Dam Seal works in progress. Day 3. Shake & bake. The false land bridge is rolled back on the leaking wall and Bentonite layers 1 & 2 go in. Razorback Dam Seal nuances A total of 4 tonnes of Bentonite is applied to the new dam wall material with the excavator being used …
The best clay for sealing a dam is white clay because it will create a permanent seal. Avoid using red clay, because it is dispersive, and it ill let water travel through the wall and exit the dam
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Big Ditch Dam Building Company has been constructing and repairing farm dams across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every farm dam built to the right standards — correct clay, proper compaction, adequate spillway — …