dsimonl, welcome to the forum. Tell us a bit about your pond. And, where in Idaho are you? I was on the Snake across from Marsing for many years back in the 80s and 90s.
You've gotten good ideas from our other posters. I have simply laid concrete pavers on our mud bottom where we and the dogs like to enter and exit the pond. The dogs, in particular, are in and out of the pond so much no algae nor mud accumulates.
Roger
