I have 3 ponds that are divided by dams. They are fed by 90 acres of runoff. These ponds were built by my grandfather 60 years ago, and have filled with this pudding like sludge. The sludge is as deep as 6 feet in some spots. There is no real way of getting heavy equipment in to get it out of the biggest pond (4 acre ). Is there anything that I can do to remove this stuff? It is taking up to much volume that could be used for water.
Cray......I've seen these products available, but I've never used them, so I am not sure how well they work. Your problem could be too much for a product like this.
Zep, that sludge remover sounds like it is worth trying. 500 bucks is a small price if it works at all. Considering that a track hoe and dump truck are1400 a day.
Anyone ever used this product. If so please share your results!
When I was looking into it, The neighbor who owns a gravel pit recommended a sauermans bucket. You can reach out any distance you want because the bucket goes out on a cable that is attached to the other side of the pond. Good for ponds that are bigger than the normal dragline setup can reach.
When I was looking into it, The neighbor who owns a gravel pit recommended a sauermans bucket. You can reach out any distance you want because the bucket goes out on a cable that is attached to the other side of the pond. Good for ponds that are bigger than the normal dragline setup can reach.
Video was informative. Why do suppose they do not give a money back guarantee for those pelleted bacteria to dramatically reduce muck? If I had a product that really worked well, I would guarantee it as with everything that I sell. For smaller bodies of water there are muck sucking operations as in mucksuckers.com
Nice explanation in video and seems to go along with a lot of what I have learned here. However, I notice he says "in conjunction with" aeration. Which does Cray have in place? If not wouldn't that be the first step to his problem?
Also, if I am figuring this out right: For a pond of approximate 1 acre 3# per 1,000 sq ft= 1 acre needs 40 x 3 = 120# +/- for moderate muck. Applied 4 times per year. 1200.00 x 4 = 4800.00 +/-
Cray....you may want to call these folks and get some advice since they are a Pond Boss sponsor. Below is a link to their sludge reduction product. It looks like whatever you do it may be pricey and maybe they could offer some ideas if you tell them you are a Pond-Bosser.
Thanks guys! I have contacted a guy who says he can suck the sludge out with a dredge. I am going to have him come out and give me a quote. If that does not work out I will have to go another route.
This forum is great!!! I really appreciate y'all taking the time to chime in on this!!!
After thinking today about a dragline, each situation has to be considered individually. If the pond was compacted, or had a clay liner when built, draglines probably would be bad. If your soil is all clay, no worries.
It is all clay. The dredge I am looking at useing is a suction dredge like is used for gold mining. So the only thing bad would be the loss of water with the sludge.
In situations where I've seen muck sucked out of ponds the slurry of sludge water is pumped to an adjacent area (tree area or low land) and the water is allowed to soak away leaving a layer of organic nutrient rich sludge on top. Sludge is almost all organic, that biologically decomposes and would be very good for a garden or place you wanted plants to grow.
In situations where I've seen muck sucked out of ponds the slurry of sludge water is pumped to an adjacent area (tree area or low land) and the water is allowed to soak away leaving a layer of organic nutrient rich sludge on top. Sludge is almost all organic, that biologically decomposes and would be very good for a garden or place you wanted plants to grow.
Yes, it is very rich. Can be too rich for much to grow for a couple years. I've got probably 100 ton stacked up now from cleaning my pond out last fall. It was about 4 feet thick in the pond. As someone else posted, unless you get it flattened out it will probably never dry completely.
Yes, it is very rich. Can be too rich for much to grow for a couple years. I've got probably 100 ton stacked up now from cleaning my pond out last fall. It was about 4 feet thick in the pond. As someone else posted, unless you get it flattened out it will probably never dry completely.
Do you mind if I ask how big your pond was, and how much it cost to dig it all out, please?
