A lined lagoon helps limit winter ammonia loss by preventing seepage into the surrounding soil, which keeps more of the nitrogen-rich liquid confined where it can be managed. When a lagoon sits directly on the ground, small but steady leaks can allow ammonia to escape into the subsurface, especially during freeze-thaw cycles that open tiny pathways in the soil.
A liner creates a stable, low-permeability barrier that keeps the stored material in place even when temperatures swing sharply. This stabilization reduces the amount of nitrogen that disappears before spring application, helping retain its fertilizer value and lowering the chance that ammonia will move into groundwater or surface water during snowmelt.
