Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization Water Testing and Recording

Could anyone comment on the most critical water characteristics to monitor in order to understand the overall health of a pond? I'm new to pond management, but would like to begin testing and recording chemical and physical characteristics to establish a baseline for my pond. I suppose the obvious ones might be dissolved O2 and pH, but what other indicators are critical? Can anyone recommend a water test regimen that has worked for you?

By the way, my pond is about 2 acres with steep sides and varies from 6-12 ft. It contains LMB, Crappies and BGs. My largest concern right now is the impact of leaves and cotton (from cottonwood trees) that enter the pond, as the shore is heavily wooded. Drought and heat this year in MN have caused the growth rate of coontail to exceed my rate of removing it. This concerns me as it will also contribute to oxygen depletion after it dies and begins to decay this winter.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Could you carry this one step further and advise where one can send water samples to be tested? The forum articles suggest we buy kits and test it ourselves, but it appears that one worth having will set you back more than $100. I doubt I would test more frequently than every few years if evrything else appears in order.

I take my water samples to the local county extension agent who forwards it to their labs at the University of Georgia. They offer a variety of tests from well water drinking water tests for bacteria to basics for a pond like ph, alkalinity, hardness, and minerals like iron etc.It costs me under $30 for the tests I have run. I try to run the tests once a year.

I primarily use the tests to see when I need to add lime to raise the hardness, alkalinity, and buffer pH swings.

Check with your local county extension agent. I would bet they offer similar services. If they offer soil testing for farmers they probably will also test water.

Frank

I send mine to Texas A & M. They send back a report withing a couple of weeks that I have to get help to decipher. It is extensive and cheap.

I have one of the Hach kits but seldom use it. Unless something external happens, PH and alkilinity seldom change.

Dissolved oxygen kits are expensive, and in my case, kinda useless. I can't monitor twice a day like Todd. If I have a fish kill, I'm going to know the answer without a test.

Test soil samples and water. See below for soil. Water for alkalinity , N- P -K (same as in soil) for fertility (visibility as a alternative) , DO's and turbidity if needed. Here is a link to a very good paper on water quality.

A Fish Farmer's Guide to Understanding Water Quality

http://aquanic.org/publicat/state/il-in/as-503.htm

Soil tests - probably do water as well

Indiana
A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc
3505 Conestoga Dr., Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 483-4759
www.algreatlakes.com
Soil test cost: $15.
Includes: Organic matter, available P, exchangeable K, Mg, Ca, soil pH, buffer pH and fertilizer recommendations.
To submit sample: Send in zip-lock bag to above address.
Common regional problems: High pH and low K.

Michigan
MSU Soil & Plant Nutrient Laboratory
A-81 Plant & Soil Sciences Bldg., Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 355-0218
web.css.msu.edu/SoilTesting/Stl.html
Soil test cost: $9.
Includes: pH, lime requirements, P, K, Ca, Mg.
To submit samples: Purchase a kit at your local country extension office or send sample with check to above address.
Common regional problems: Acidic soil, micronutrient deficiencies, too much P.

Minnesota
Soil Testing Laboratory - University of Minnesota
1902 Dudley Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 625-3101
soiltest.coafes.umn.edu
Soil test cost: $10.
Includes: P, K, pH, lime requirement (if necessary), organic matter, estimated texture.
To submit samples: Send sample and payment to above address.
Common regional problems: K deficiencies; in some areas, P and lime are needed; soils in region vary.