Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
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Can you use flexible geomembranes as underlayment for irrigation canals?
Yes, you can—and in areas like California, this type of canal system can prove useful because it minimizes water loss through seepage, excessive evaporation, and leaks.
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How can you repair damaged canals?
Damaged irrigation canals don’t need to be replaced or moved—not when there are several options to repair them relatively easily.
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What are the best liner materials for irrigation canals?
In California and elsewhere, irrigation canals are crucial parts of irrigation systems to water crops, and while there are lots of options for liners, one stands out as better than all the others.
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Can lined drainage canals supply irrigation water for growers in California?
In this drought-prone region, many growers monitor water usage carefully—and solutions are needed to reclaim and reuse water wherever possible.
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How can seepage become problematic in California irrigation canals?
In an unlined irrigation canal system, water loss through seepage is by far the largest problem you’ll face—and it’s also the biggest source of water loss.
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How can water velocity cause wastage in unlined irrigation canals?
In an unlined irrigation canal—especially in areas like California where water shortages are already a concern—water velocity can cause issues with the irrigation system as well as wastage.
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Why is it important to monitor and maintain weed growth around unlined canals?
Weed growth can cause lots of problems in irrigation canal systems, particularly in notoriously drought-stricken areas like California.
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What are water restrictions and regulations that everyone should be aware of in California?
In California, everyone from businesses to homeowners will face water restrictions and regulations at least some of the time.
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What do California growers need to know about damage to irrigation canals?
For producers in California, irrigation is a way of life—and that means learning about and guarding against the most common types of damage to irrigation canals.
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What are the main uses of water in California?
Because much of California is prone to droughts, the main uses of water in this area differ quite a bit from other parts of the country.
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How does California’s weather and soil conditions affect pond liners?
Every state and geographical region has its own unique set of challenges that will affect pond construction—and California’s natural conditions are particularly harsh on various liner materials.
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Are there regulations on water usage for golf courses, resorts and other amenities in California?
Yes—due to water shortages, California tightly regulates the amount of water that golf courses and other recreational facilities can use.
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What type of pond liner is best for use in California?
There are lots of types of liners available, but California has some special regulations in place governing what you can use, plus some liner types are better than others. Let’s start with Proposition 65. This regulation requires the disclosure of chemica
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What are the best liners for aquaculture in California?
Despite drought conditions, aquaculture is a big part of California’s economy—and most modern fish farms rely on certain types of pond liners best suited to California’s climate and regulations.
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Are backyard ponds good for drought-stricken areas like California?
It might seem counterintuitive since California is known for doing everything possible to conserve water, but so long as you’re following all rules and regulations on ponds in your area, backyard ponds can be great for the local ecosystem.
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Why are pond liners essential for California ponds?
In drought-prone areas like California, flexible geomembranes are an absolute must if you’re building a pond.
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What do I need to know to build a backyard pond in California?
California has some of the strictest rules anywhere governing the amount of water that people can retain for their own use—and because of this, backyard ponds make up the majority of new water features added to California each year.
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Can ponds help with California storms?
California has some unique needs in that the state suffers from a drought, but sometimes there are also pouring rains that result in flooding and mudslides.
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What do I need to consider when building flood control ponds that can be used for irrigation?
There are a few things you’ll need to account for when you’re building a flood control system in California.
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During the drought, are there restrictions on irrigation and agricultural ponds in California?
Yes—and there is a distinction between regulations for small domestic decorative ponds versus larger ponds for irrigation and agricultural uses.
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What do you need to look for in a liner for a drought-ready California irrigation pond?
Choosing the right liner means taking into account what you’ll be using an irrigation pond for.
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Can rainwater be collected on the small scale in areas affected by the California Drought?
When you think of rainwater collection, the most common ideas are rain barrels at the small end of the scale or enormous retention ponds at the large end of the scale, but there is a middle ground.
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How can geomembrane systems help mitigate the water shortage during the California drought?
Geomembrane systems can do a lot to help mitigate water shortages, including irrigation systems, retention ponds, and rainwater collection systems.
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