Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? To aerate or not?

I have a 2 acre, 30 year old pond in SE Nebraska. At full pool it is 9' at the deepest point with an average depth of around 5'. It is spring fed but the drought has stopped the flow of my springs. Water level has dropped about 3.5 feet. The pond has a mud bottom with 2'-3' of silt. Water visibility is around 3' which has encouraged the growth of some serious nasty stringy weeds all over the place. I am 1300' from the nearest power. I know the pros and cons of windmills but think that it is the best option for me if I decide to aerate. On one hand I am thinking that it isn't necessary to aerate because my water clarity is so high, but on the other, I am concerned about what could happen if we don't get some substantial rains soon. After studying this forum I have come to the conclusion that aeration can only help. Should I be heading this direction or am I OK right where I am? I have way too much time and money invested in my fish to watch them suffocate this summer.

Balucas-

You are right about aeration only helping. What are the species of fish? What is surrounding the pond, i.e. livestock, golf course, lush green grass?

Does the wind constantly blow in this location? Even at night when aeration is needed the most?

We can push air through pipe up to one-mile away and still have enough air to circulate your pond.

Do have any water chemistries for the pond? Oxygen levels or any other levels? It is hard to tell what is going on in the pond by just looking at the surface. For example, a doctor needs to take an x-ray to see if you have a broken arm, and to see what is the best way to set it. We do the same in pond management.

The pond is set in a 50 acre pasture. There is farmground above it so I would bet that half of the runoff comes from tilled soil a third of a mile away. I have catfish, bluegill and an overpopulation of 12" LMB. I am trying to thin out the LMB and catfish and am feeding game fish chow with an automatic feeder. If I were to run an air line from the closest power I would have to run it across the top of a hay field and across terraces. I'm not too crazy about trenching for 1300' although it isn't totally out of the question. I have never had the water tested although I am checking into where I could take some samples locally to have it done. The last time my water level was this low, we had a 100% fish kill in mid summer and I want to prevent this from happening again.

Oh and I forgot to add that it seems like in Nebraska the wind always blows. (Except for when you want it to)