Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Using a Tarp on pond bottom?

Im going to build some large pallet structures to place at the bottom of a 4 acre pond. I have coontail moss in the area and would think that the moss is just going to cover up the structure.

I was thinking about buying a large tarp say 25' square and putting it on the bottom held with bricks. This might keep the moss from taking over the structure.

is this a good idea? tarps are fairly cheap.

seems like sediment could cover the tarp and moss could grow again but im just looking for ideas.

A tarp over the pallet structure would eliminate fish access to all the internal spaces, cracks, and crannies in it, right? I think that's half of the structure's value.

oh no, Im talking about putting the tarp down first and getting it all set and layed out, then placing the pallet structure right on top of the tarp in the center.

I don't think you want TARP to be anywhere near your pond. (bad joke)

Seriously though, I would think that the plants would just add to the habitat value of the structure.

Chad, you can use that tarp to cover and kill off sections of coontail and control the spread.

Agreed. Also makes for a handy way to give yourself a fairly weed free swimming area if so desired.

alright then, I think i'll give it a try, unless there is something else out that that might work better. Anyone ever done something like this before? Basically im blocking the moss growth.

That is a good idea. Do it and let us know how it works.

Chad you should get a hold of Kelly Duffie search his name on the website. He is the king of weed control. You have to understand coontail moss before you can treat it. The tarp idea will not work. I mean maybe a month or so. Coontail moss is not rooted to the ground. Its suspended in the water so if one little piece say inch by an inch gets on the tarp it will start to explode when the water warms and is clear. Ive had coontail in my pond for 4 years now and it is the biggest pain in the ass weed in a pond you could ever have! The more i looked into coontail moss the better i understood it. There is advantages to having it in the pond and disadvantges ecspecially if you like to fish. 1000's of creatures live in that moss and has its own food chain. If i was you i would just spot treat were your gonna put your pallets. I live not to far from you and all the ponds around here are very fertile and with coontail moss its like throwing gas on a fire. Theres another thread in indentfying
plants right now its at the top that has alot good suggestions for killing it back. Good luck

Keep us posted on your results. Normally, I would say your idea would work, but JHFV is correct about coontail. It's often classified as a rooted, submersed weed, but the reality is the holdfast structure on the plant allows it to dislodge and float freely to other areas of the pond. It could very easily drift to your pallets, recolonize and completely cover it. I can see situations where this could be a good or bad deal.

Coontail is just a unique plant in terms of how it can survive.

Well I guess that is not a good idea.

Cut some slits in the tarp. If you don't it will "whaleback." Seen it often. Gases build underneath the tarp, even with six inches of gravel on it and it will float. If you cut some slits, gases can escape and it won't matter for rooted macrophytes. Been there, done it.

Good thinkin' Lusk!

The concept sounds a lot like using newspaper under the mulch in your flower beds to stop weeds.

How about using geotextile fabric instead of tarp material. A geotextile would probably last longer and be cheaper too and would allow gasses to escape without adding slits.

May not work too well for coontail but probably would work for rooted vegetation.

Ryan,

You are right on!! We use the geotextile fabric everytime we make gravel spawning beds along the shoreline. We bring bricks with us to keep it weighted down and stretched out until we can get the gravel on top. I'm assuming this type of fabric can breath, but I really don't know for sure. Surely the porous nature of this type of material will allow for gas exchange. I do know that it does a pretty good job of keeping our gravel free from weeds.

Good point on the tarps, Bob. I haven't used a tarp for this purpose, but I doubt I would have slit it and would have learned the hard about the whale back. I'll put your comments in my memory bank in case I ever need to use a tarp.

Gotta love the information on this site!!!

Where can I locate this geotextile fabric material, Im afraid I haven't seen it before unless it goes by other names. Cheaper than a tarp! wow.

We got ours last Summer (great big 12' wide rolls) through the local Soil & Water Office (NRCS to most).

It's also called "shadecloth"

I get Geotextile fabric from our highway construction materials supplier. Landscaper supply companies should also have it. The big box lumber stores have it but it's usually only 3' wide. 12' is more common in my line of work. It wouldn't hurt to search the net for a manufacturer and ask what they recommend for your particular purpose.There are lots of different kinds and a wide price range.