Have about 1/2 acre pond on a property I purchased that has about a 18 to 24" thick floating bog on most of it. Is there an "easy" way to remove it?

I see posts on using a trash pump for silt. Would something like that work? Don't think so, given how the roots are so matted together.

Kill it with chemicals, and then try to do something with it. (not very environmental)

Is a extended reach backhoe the only option???

Thanks for your ideas.

Since it is only a half acre could you not just drag it out with a rake over time and mulch it.

I dont know what you have but one year I had a problem with water primrose. It was mostly covering the edges out to 15' or so, more in some places. I pretty much could go around the edge of the pond where it started and pull in the parts going out deep.

Maybe you could do the same thing. Or use a boat and a rake. And then if it seems like it is going to come back quickly then treat it with a biological solution (certain fish) or treat it with chemicals.

If you can get the bulk out before you treat it with chemicals it may prevent water quality problems when it dies and begins to decay.

Bill

Could try to do it manually, but I can stand on this thing, supports my fat .... It is not going to come apart easy.

Agree would like to remove most of it, rather then treat with chemicals. I think I would leave part of it, as an "island"

I like the idea to keep some of it. It's a natural phenomena that you should have. But, if it covers most of the pond, I can see the need to remove a portion of it. As a matter of fact, that's what Bruce Kania biomimics when he uses his floating islands.
A floating bog and the plants on it absorbs and use nutrients from the water. They play a role cleansing water.
As far as "how" to remove it, I expect half a day's worth of excavator would do the job. The problem will be trying to schedule an excavator for only half a day.

Maybe you do need an excuvator. Stand on it, that is thick! But if you are a cheap or broke as I am and have a tractor, do you think that you could hack a piece where a pipe with some kind of wire or a hog panel was attached and with other pipe on the top drag some of it out at a time until it breaks up. You would still need a john boat or something.

But good luck on whatever you decide.

I don't have a tractor, but do have a 4x4 truck and ATVs. Can film it for a commercial. LOL.

Actually it might work. Have a fabrication company so can have something built that I can drive into it to rip off chunks. In big bodies of water, I have seen people just throw an anchor onto the top of them, and pull them around with a boat (very slowly!). I don't have that kind of room, but if I can slice it somehow... Gonna have to give it some thought. Further design ideas welcome....

Actually just using a square spade to cut it in pieces may work, then just drag them out. Gonna be a very MESSY job. But, could be gradifing too. Water is down right now, would be the time to do with just waders.

Yes, the county wetland people, where baffled by this 3/4 acre pond and it's "bog". They say it is very rare/unusual for this area and would hate for me to remove it, just because it is so interesting. But, from old sat and air photos, you can see it has grown a great deal over the years, and now covers most of the pond.

The reason for the 1/2 to 3/4 acres is it varies about that much depending on water level.