Guys, My water was brownish before I got to full pool about 2 weeks ago. I since added 1 gal of Aquashade and it has gotten better but not clear at all like I thought. It is a prettier color (kinda of a greenish blueish pastel color) than it was but still no visibility. It has been raining almost everyday but my pond is full so the rain is not beating on the dirt and muddying it up. Does it slowly improve of is that how it stays?

TKD,
Before anyone could answer that question they would have to know the type of soil in and around your pond, what fish are in/going to be in your pond and your plans for the shoreline and the area around your pond at a minimum.

SO,
What type of soil did you build in?

What type of soil is present in your watershed?

What types of fish are you planning to stock?

What is your vegetation plan for in and around your pond?

Have you done a jar test?

Where does your water come from?

Water quality is a complex question. Know where your water comes form and how it will be used answers a lot of questions.

The soil is a clay, going to stock FHM, BG, CNBG, RES and LMB next spring. I planted Bermuda on the inside edge of the pond but the flooding we got in Louisiana filled the remaining 5 ft up overnight so it didn't have time to grow. There is some grass and weeds around the inside edge that is in the water. I am not sure what the jar test is and my water comes from rainfall and runoff from rainfall.

For a jar test,
1. Go get a clear jar
2. Fill it with your water
3. Place it in a dark closet for several days
4. Check to see if the solids settled

its that easy.

If the solids settle, your pond will settle unless you add fish that stir up those solids.

If not, look into Alum treatment.

Highflyer, Thanks for the info. I will do jar test today. Do I need a lid?

I have always used a lid, but I would think it is optional.

You are testing to see if the suspended material holds a static charge or not.

A simple google search will show you several PDFs that do a great job of explaining this testing method.

Oh the joy of seeing your water flow out the overflow for the first time. My 1 acre pond filled 2 years ago this December. It was muddy for several months after it filled. Partially because some of my water shed area was without grass. I put the blue aqua shade in it and when it mixes with the red suspended clay it really looks unnatural.

Don't do what I did and put cat fish in. I think the stocking folks did me a favor and added more cats than usual and now I want them out. They muddy the water, and they get hook shy. I'm considering shooting them at feeding time....:(

Did you put any structure in your pond? They need structure if your going to stock it all at once. Those little ones need to hide.

I'm experiencing my first drought condition here in WV with my new pond. The water gods have not been generous this summer. Im a foot low for the 1st time since it filled.

The jar test is just going to show you that your muddy water will clear. Enjoy all of the new phases of pond management. Read a lot, and have fun with the best toy ever.

Awesome Toddm. I plan on having a lot of fun with my pond. No cats allowed. Just hoping it clears up some. I want for the fish to have visibility and I want to be able to go in and see structure and stuff underwater. Thanks,

ToddM, How long did it take for your pond to clear up some and how long before it really cleared up? Did it stay clear? Did you stock your fingerings even though it wasn't clear? If so did you see an negative effect of stocking before it cleared? My fish are ordered from Dunn's Hatchery and will be here in 4 weeks. Just wondering if they will still feed on pellets and grow at a good rate if the water is still murky? Thanks,

Our pond is four years old and still has not cleared up. I really think aging of the pond and plant growth will clear the pond up.

I think having a cloudy pond is a good thing for your small fish and minnows to populate. It makes if more difficult for the predators. Ours has populated to the point where there is to many shiners away away to many shiners. So we have started adding a secondary predator walleye to the perch pond with the hopes the walleye will prey on the shiners before the young perch. Shiners being less picky and easier to eat.

Some cloudy water is good these ponds are a slow process and will come around.