Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Weekly Observations

I was surprised that I was the only bidder on that unit. Maybe my $100 starting bid scared others away (bid-repeller). I will keep the forum informed as to effectiveness.

Dwight looks like another spike in the plankton bloom. Has the color changed yet ? It is going to be interesting to see at what water temp the bloom stops/reduces to winter color. Man that is a healthy pond on a great looking bloom pattern.

The color hasn't changed. I am going to continue monitoring until ice prevents the Barge from going to the deep spot. About two weeks later, I will be able to walk over to the deep spot.

The week in-between you can belly crawl

Some of those little kids' floaties on your arms might be a good insurance plan.

I better lose some weight before I attempt a belly crawl on the ice. I would hate to be high centered out there until spring!

Dwight then you could act like a seal and flop back to shore. I think the barge is a better idea. Man its going to be cold checking that system during winter. Bill will love you for the info.

Normally Tan will go for a swim when I take the weekly readings. Today he put a paw in the water and curled up on the sunny side of the Barge. I think that means the seasons are a changing.

Updated Weekly

Temps down , plankton reducing and DOs up. Sounds like Tan knows his business.

We had our first frost of the season last night. There was a layer of ice on the bird baths this morning. I am fired up to get out on the pond and take some readings, but alas, I have a meeting today.

I hate it when work interferes with Pond.

Major changes in the last 7 days!

Since last weeks report we have had 2 rain events and 2.25 inches of rain. It has been overcast and cool most of that period and we have had significant winds on several occasions.

The water temperature has dropped and the D.O. has increased significantly. Clarity has been stable.

Updated Weekly

I just goes to show that cooler water can hold more D.O.

That divergence means that fall turnover is eminent or may be occurring now given the even temps at all depths.

This is one great project to learn the life of a pond over a year.

So, over the year, the most difference between surface and bottom temp was about 10-12 F, right? That's not a big difference? Result of a northern pond, or result of a pond built into the ground water?

My guess would be mostly ground water influence.

My question is with the GW influence how do the DOs stay high as most GW is low in DO.

Ewest -- that is the 60 million dollar question. As you know, our groundwater pits are by far the most likely to resist winterkill. I don't know if there is some amount of oxgyen at the upper limit of the ground water? Or, could it just be the movement that allows some oxygen to become mixed at the upper limit? I just don't know. We sure see the results, and having Dwight verify these things long-term has been great for all of us.

I think an excellent exam question would be for advanced students to explain the results as shown on that chart . What is occuring in the pond at several points in time.

I believe the ground water flow is much higher through the pond than normal (for a pond dug into the water table) because the Rock River runs adjacent to the pond. Those additive influences really hustle the water through the pond and stabilize the water temperatures top to bottom.

The year-around high D. O. levels top to bottom are a puzzle the pond inhabitants enjoy. I suspect that for some reason the ground water in the area has a high oxygen content. I need to sample the few shallow wells that are left on nearby properties to see if that may be true.

I don't have a DO meter, but if a well doesn't have any DO, how much DO would be added to the water by splashing out from the faucet if it was run into a laundry tub/sink?

My well sucks from 66' down, and I if I fill the laundry tub 50% with water, 3 CC will survive 12 hrs+. One 15" LMB lasted about as long and if 6 BG, 8" or so long are put in there, they will still be swimming the next morning (about 12 hrs.) No piping at the surface either. Temp is 52* or so.

I don't think the splashing would affect the DO levels appreciably.

Fish can survive low DO levels for short periods of time. What ever oxygen is available in your well water must be enough for the short periods you are talking about.

IIRC Condello has run PBRs with a load of fish living on no aeration of well water other than a small spray hitting the surface. That IS adding about as much O2 to the well water from flow as would be possible, I would guess.

I am looking forward to this weeks readings, should be some changes with the polar ice cap that we are experiencing. Best to wear your heavy gear and a PFD when out on the barge!!!

The chart has been extended out a few more weeks.

There will be a period when the pond ices over (2 inches or less) that it will still navigable with the Barge in ice breaker mode. After that the ice will be unsafe to walk on for a period of time, but I have a plan.

I believe the plankton are pretty much done for the year unless we have a major heat wave.

Updated Weekly

Ice breaker mode. I like stuff that is over engineered.

If you recall, the trolling motors are recessed so they nor their shafts can be damaged by a bit of ice breaking.