Pond is silting up - 03/19/11 02:04 AM
Hi All,
I purchased a property a few years ago that has a man made pond that's approximately 1 acre in size. It's fed by a small brook as well as at least one spring. I don't know for sure but neighbors tell me it's about fifteen feet deep. An earthen burm or dam makes up one side of the pond through which a six inch PVC drain pipe is run. Water drains through the pipe during spring, summer and fall and perhaps winter too.
There were attempts to stock the pond with trout but apparently those attempts failed. Word has it someone or something removed the trout from the pond. Since I've owned the property on one occasion I encountered a river otter swimming in the pond. There are many schools of small minnow like fish swimming around. It's also a favorite spot for Moose and water fowl. During summer months green and brown algae grows on and just below the surface.
In general my sense is that the pond needs some care but I'm not sure what should be done and how. One thing that concerns me is what appears to be silting that's taking place where the brook empties into the pond. Is this a serious problem and is there anything that can be done to mitigate the accumulation of silt in this area?
I was also considering hiring an excavator to dredge around the perimeter of the pond. Does this make sense?
I purchased a property a few years ago that has a man made pond that's approximately 1 acre in size. It's fed by a small brook as well as at least one spring. I don't know for sure but neighbors tell me it's about fifteen feet deep. An earthen burm or dam makes up one side of the pond through which a six inch PVC drain pipe is run. Water drains through the pipe during spring, summer and fall and perhaps winter too.
There were attempts to stock the pond with trout but apparently those attempts failed. Word has it someone or something removed the trout from the pond. Since I've owned the property on one occasion I encountered a river otter swimming in the pond. There are many schools of small minnow like fish swimming around. It's also a favorite spot for Moose and water fowl. During summer months green and brown algae grows on and just below the surface.
In general my sense is that the pond needs some care but I'm not sure what should be done and how. One thing that concerns me is what appears to be silting that's taking place where the brook empties into the pond. Is this a serious problem and is there anything that can be done to mitigate the accumulation of silt in this area?
I was also considering hiring an excavator to dredge around the perimeter of the pond. Does this make sense?