My water is more clear than it has ever been right now. I'm not sure if there is a chemistry problem, but I want some of you smart guys to see if you see anything outstanding.
Brief history: pond is about 9 years old, 2.5 acres, 28 feet deep at the deepest spot, clarity is usually around 20 inches although last year seemed like it got to 30 inches, lime was added about 8 years ago
Today the water temp is 64 degrees, pH is 7, TA is 40ppm, hardness is 10ppm, ammonia nitrogen is 0 - 0.2
The clarity is 40-48 inches. I noticed last year with the clearer water that I started to get some submerged vegetation that I never had before. Also, I have noticed muscle shells underneath a few trees where birds have eaten and discarded the shells. I can also see some muscles on the bottom of the pond, but not alot. We had a lot of rains 2 months ago that filled my pond up because it was about 7 feet low.

Any ideas?

Zebra mussels from the Arkansas River? They filter the water and make it clear.

I believe redear BG eat mussels. Do you have any in your pond?

All the small mouth bass we catch in Lake Erie have belly's full of Zebra mussels.

I see our pond the clearest just as ice is out. After the first good spring rain the colour turns from green blue to more green and visibility drops to about 20"s. It seams as it warms up a bit from freezing that some cold water plankton start to grow.

Zebra mussel are invasive species, you don't have problems with this species in U.S.A.

A+

Yes, we do. Major problems.

If you are seeing the mussels (larger 2"-4") on the bottom and not attached to surfaces under water like dock posts or larger rocks the mussels are not zebra mussels and very likely native mussels. Most US mussel species similar to shiner species live in streams and rivers, however a few are adapted to live in ponds and lakes.

IMO the clearing of the water is due to loss or reduction of hardness (alkalinity) which causes less phytoplankton and making the water appear clearer. Your pond likely need another application of lime and fertilizer if you want more phytoplankton.

Thanks Bill! I was thinking that but wanted to make sure. The mussels are not zebra mussels. I know what those are because they are in the Arkansas river. These look like native mussels.

Would you suggest regular ag lime distributed by boat? Do you want to throw it out in the deeper areas too, or just 10 feet of water or less? What is the suggested lime rate?

Also, I forgot to add: ag lime powder or pelletized lime? I may only be able to get pelletized, it's more expensive too. I can't seem to find anyone with a truck that could drive around the pond and spread the lime out.

Last time I fished Lake Erie I observed freshwater drum full of zebra mussels, some shells even coming out their anus(!), but did not observe SMB doing the same as their mouth isn't suitable for crushing shells.

Do the SMB follow the drum and steal the zebra mussels?

The five pound plus redear sunfish in Lake Havasu, AZ eat the quagga mussels. Blue Catfish feed on zebras in the Arkansas River.

Edited to correct species locations.

I thought it was quagga mussels in Lake Havasu, but may be wrong.

You are correct, they are quaggas in Havasu. Both species are similar.

I corrected my previous post.

Not big deal, John. Lake Havasu is truly amazing! Only reason I mentioned mussel species is that redear might chow down on quagga but not zebra mussels.

If freshwater mussels are taking over an Arkansas pond, redear might be the answer. Wouldn't it be great to catch 2 lb redear?

Rainman is the best source for how to apply lime. There is likely some older posts of how others applied lime to a pond full of water.

Drum , carp and RES all eat zebra mussels . I agree with Bill on the cause of clear water. Ag lime or pelletized lime are best not hydrated lime as it works fast , is to strong and does not last. I have used barges , jon boats , spreader trucks and a plain old shovel to spread lime around the pond bottom. It is relatively easy using sacks from a jon boat but takes some work.

Hi Chad!!! Nice to see you back on the forum! You should be able to call one of the local co-op's and get a lime order delivered and spread. As I recall, your pond can be driven around pretty easily, but it's been a few years since I saw it as a baby puddle! How's that siphon system doing as your primary drain?

Hey Rex! Good to hear from you. I haven't been around in a while, kids are keeping me busy! I got a local guy to come out and deliver 4.5 tons of ag lime from a spreader truck.

When he revved the RPM up, it really shot that lime a long ways and seemed to cover the pond pretty well. I would guess 70% coverage.

Is this enough lime? How soon should I see some results?

I'd rather catch a 5 pound redear, if I ever get to Havasu.

The FA is really taking off and starting to worry me. There are big globs of it in the shallow ends, and little patches all over the very deep areas. Water clarity is now over 7 feet. Not sure what to do.

The siphon system is still working well. The emergency spillway has only been in use just a few times since the pond was built, so I think it keeps up rather well.

Is it possible to stock TP? I'd mention grass carp, but they don't prefer algae.

I thought about it, but I'm not going to stock TP this year. I just can't imagine what would have caused the water to go clear in one year. My next step is to rake out as much of the FA as possible, and hope for a plankton bloom with the available nutrients that the removed FA would have taken.