Re: Pond that doesn't hold water...
How are his neighbor's ponds? If they do not use liners and are full (or nearly full since this is a low rainfall summer), you could rule out the need for liners or clay additives, since the soil sould be similar.
Since the pond is nearly dry, it's a perfect time to investigate where the water may have gone. Check for holes that may lead to unknown field tiles or if the overflow pipe leaks. If the pond ever had muskrats, their burrowing can cause leaks.
Also, where does the source water come from? A regular source from field tile, creek or output from a geothermal heat pump, will keep the level up year round.
If there is no continous source, winter snow and spring rains will fill it, and the summer sun will evaporate it. Summer rain usually does not help, unless there is huge amount, as it is absorbed into the ground and does not run off.
Our 1/4 acre pond has dropped about 1 ft. since spring, but we don't have a regular source of water. We are considering routing a roof drainage into the pond to help, but we have not had much rain this summer in Indiana.
If your friend has well water, he could always break out the garden hose.
Good luck.
