Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction new member - need help with diffuser/aerator

hello-
we just put in a pond for swimming/recreation and hope to stock fish over the next year or two. after one year, the pond is now filled (yay!) and we are swimming in it (though it's clay so still muddy). issue #1 is extreme cold spots throughout as the water doesn't circulate. i am researching bottom aerators and am thoroughly confused about what i need. the pond is a quarter acre, but is 15 deep (there is a shallow and a deep end). it is not spring fed, but filled with runoff and ample rain and snow (we're in upstate NY). issue #2 is whether the mud will settle naturally or do i need to add alum? any help is greatly appreciated, and thank you for this amazing resource!!

Welcome Miles! Are the extreme cold spots about 4 feet deep and deeper? I believe that is natural. In the summer especially, the top few feet of water will be very warm, but below that the temp difference is substantial. Very noticeable. Regarding your water clearing up, it should eventually. As with seemingly everything pond related, it all depends. All new ponds have suspended clay and most eventually do clear up.