State Conservation officials are warning a drop in your pond level at this time of year might not be just heat and lack of rain. It could be a leaky dam. The Conservation Department’s Phillip Pitts says ponds can lose an inch or two a month from normal seepage and possibly up to a foot a month from evaporation. Pitts says an indicator that a dam might be leaking is when the drop is beyond the “usual” levels. Pitts says one factor that can cause a dam to leak is tree roots. He says a tree bigger than four inches in diameter should be left alone as the rotted roots hurt integrity more than live ones. He says the Department does not build dams, but agents can offer some information and help for those land owners considering putting in a pond.