Question Center

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!

All of our resources are free. Please don't hesitate to share them with others!

Search

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How can rainwater collection help with the California drought?

Rainwater collection is one of the key ways to help supplement the area’s water supply.

Why is water harvesting critical for the California drought?

California’s Great Central Valley is 20,000 square miles, one of the most fertile valleys in the world, and one of the largest, if not the largest, agricultural region in the United States.

Can water preservation help solve agricultural water shortages due to the drought in the San Joaquin Valley?

Yes—and one way to do that is by creating lined ponds to collect and store rainwater for later irrigation.

What are the most famous salt ponds?

There are a couple of places in the world famous for their brine ponds.

What are some lesser known factors that can speed evaporation in brine ponds?

If you’re interested in building brine ponds for evaporation, you’ve probably already covered the big factors like annual temperatures, precipitation, average humidity, and average wind speeds, but there are some lesser known factors that are easy to over

BTL Question Center

Categories