Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to enhance the dewatering of a settling pond, said method including: identifying one or more parameters of the settling pond including initial slurry density, target slurry density, initial depth of slurry, and target depth of slurry; preparing the settling pond by dividing the settling pond into one or more sub areas; depositing a slurry into the sub areas to a depth equal to the target depth of slurry; allowing the deposited slurry to consolidate under gravity and release fluid; further consolidating the deposited slurry in each sub area with mechanical means adapted to provide low ground pressure; and repeating the further consolidating process periodically until the target slurry density is reached.