I have pond thats 2 acres with construction completed this past August. The water has been the color of coffee with cream (less than an inch of visibilty)since it started filling. It reached full pool about three days ago and had been frozen from a cold snap we had here in Ohio. I went out today to see what it looks like at full pool and the water had at least 18 inches of visibility. Didn't do an official secchi disk, but looked to be 18inches, with a light green hue to the water. Question to any weekend water chemists or knowledgeable folks. What happened???? And do you think the coffee with cream colored water will come back? I was all set to get a water test and put gypsum or alum in depending on the results to clear the water. Any insight would be appreciated. Maybe it was a Festivus miracle!

MM, Once your wind (wave) action is eliminated by ice cover your suspended solids will usually settle.If you have a gravel apron the settling starts to take place once the water level reaches this area.If it clouds up again when the ice leaves do a jar test with two jars. Leave one unshaken for 2-3 weeks and shake the other one once a week to see the comparison. Your water should be fine, Ted

MM As Ted suggested once the water level gets to the gravel/stone ledge the wave action is dissipated by the stones ledge and less sediment is resuspended during windy periods. Ice cover eliminates all wind action on the suspended sediment and fairly rapid settling often occurs as you noticed. It was not a new years miracle. If we get ice cover again you should notice even more clearing and increased water visibility will occur when the ice goes off in early March. But by then you wate could have a heavy green tint due to a rich phytoplankton bloom. Nutrient levels on existing water will determine how "rich" the bloom becomes. During the spring overturn you may get some resuspension of light flocculated sediments and additional greening of the water could occur in the warming weather. Depending on the external influences affecting the pond you will typicially see some seasonal variability in water clarity. Currently my pond has 11 ft of visibility. Water visibility is usually greatest during late fall, winter.

Since your pond started a fairly rapid clearing with the onset of ice cover you should never have to use gypsum or alum. Your sediments have natural settling characteristics.

Thanks to both of you for your reply. It's really nice to get responses from people who know what they're talking about! thanks again.