I'll try to summarize:

East TX. Renovated an old <1 acre pond. Will be BG/LMB pond. Added ag lime before it filled as recommended by many in these parts. Recent rains have made it half full. PH levels were around 7 at last sample last week. Still do not have any established grass around the pond or on the dam. Water has not cleared even after a week of no rain/no activity. There are no fish to worry about and the livestock are not allowed back there...nothing stirring the water.

Assuming we have to add hydrated lime or possibly alum (not sure), what's the most cost effective way/easiest way to clear this water OR does anyone think it will gradually clear once grass is established???

We do not want to stock BG until grass has been established to prevent erosion (and more muddy water).

You are probably going to have muddy water until you get your banks covered in some of vegetation. The water will just run and collect dirt. Vegetation slows this down and filters out dirt.

jludwig,

But will the water clear when there is established grass? I understand that the water will be muddy due to the run-off, but I assume there is something else that needs to be done due to the fact that the "water in the jar test" failed to settle.

Whatever treatment we went with to clear the pond, I would not start the treatment until grass was established. Otherwise we would have dirty run-off flowing into clear water thus creating the same problem again.

Not sure if I'm on the right track with my thinking or not.....

You are correct postponing the treatment. There are ponds around here that can have beautiful water in them and you go half a mile and the water is a deep, dark red.

There is a chance it will help. Also, a possibly that your renovations could have exposed many areas adding to the problem. I do not have enough knowledge to accurately tell you for sure if it clear up or stay muddy. I say it gives the water a much better chance of clearing up. Maybe someone with more knowledge of this subject will comment further.