Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Where to start?

Greetings!!!!

About four years ago my wife and I purchased eighteen acres in the North Carolina Mountains. The property has a pond about one acre in size. While we have been building on the property, I have witnessed the pond go through several changes as far as color. On some visits (we still live in Florida, for now) it is crystal clear and on most other visits it is a bright, emerald green. I haven't noticed these color changes to be seasonal, although they might be. I just haven't paid enough attention. The level of the pond is kept somewhat constant by rain and rain run-off. It is not fed by a spring or creek. I have learned through neighbors that prior to my ownership, locals used to stock the pond with local fish and by my observation there are still good sized fish in the pond. I have also been told that pond may be as deep as 50 feet in some areas. It does freeze over during cold snaps. It sits at an elevation of 3400 feet above sea level on the south side of the mountain and is exposed to sun most of the day.

Another neighbor who has a pond about half the size of mine, says he uses a product called "Blue Bayou" to keep his pond clear. I researched the product and saw a YouTube video and it looks like it is nothing more than a dye that turns the water an artificial blue color.

I admittedly know nothing about pond maintenance, but I much prefer that it remains somewhat clear (like in the photo below) Reading through this forum can be "information overload" to a rookie like me, and I was wondering if you could provide insight and guidance to maintaining a clear (or non-green) pond. What should my first step be?

Regards, Mark W.

Generally, pond dye is used to cut down on sunlight penetration as a weed killer. I would wait until I had some experience with it before I did anything.

Hello, Mark, and welcome.
Beautiful spot, and at that elevation, you have the opportunity to have a rather unique [for the south] pond.

I agree with Dave-first step is to simply observe some of the changes the pond goes through over the coming season, to get a feel for it.

The "emerald green" is likely an algae bloom-a sign of fertility, and potentially a marker of a healthy pond. It can be suppressed, but not necessarily easily. Managing nutrients can help-is your pond subject to agricultural runoff?

Lots of water quality experts on the forum, I'm sure they'll chime in.

Or it could be a phytoplankton bloom that is beneficial for fish life, and to hinder it could devastate the life cycle.

What would be your primary goal for the pond Mark: fishing, swimming, looks, or other?

First, thank you for the responses. I have a tendency to get long winded, so I'll keep this as short as I can.

My primary goal is aesthetics and perhaps swimming for the grand-kids. The pond is in clear view of the back deck of the home, which is about three hundred feet away and higher up the slope. I have long term plans for a dock and gazebo. I have been told about and seen decent sized fish in the pond and while I like the idea of fish, I have no immediate plans to fish in the pond. In my opinion, the occasional green hue is unsightly. It gives the appearance of a contaminated drainage pond on the occasions that it "blooms" It was interesting to hear that the occasional greening may be beneficial, depending on it's cause.
A little history of the property. NO- there is no agricultural run-off that I'm aware of. 1) It has never been developed or occupied, 2) In the 1930's it was heavily mined for the mineral "Mica" and a high grade of clay. The mica (which is a flakey, "mother of pearl" looking substance) is still visible in places on the property, especially around the pond edges during the dry season when the water level drops about 12-18". There doesn't appear to be any clay in or around the pond. I know that the mica infused soil impedes vegetation growth, as it is prevalent around the home and has to be tilled, composted, and seeded to get grass to take root. I do not know if the content of the same soil around the pond may contribute to the bloom. Moreover, I do not know what to do about it if it is.

When you say "observe", should I document when it is happening? Take water temperatures as part of the documentation? How about water sampling, and if so- is there a private or government entity that could test the water sample for me, like the county extension office?

Thanks again!!
Mark

PS, I found this picture I took last year. This also represents the lowest observed level of the pond. Pictures are worth more than words. Pea Soup anyone?

Here is a view from Google Earth. Again, notice the greenish hue.

Here is a link to some water testing.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92617#Post92617

Whoever you get, tell them that you swim in it, and need the appropriate tests for safety.

The next time it gets green on you, I would take good pics of it in the pond, in a jar, and possible laid out on a sheet of white paper. Then the guys here may be able to identify it and recommend actions to take. Looks like there are a lot of leaves around the pond, some must get in there. You might think about a pond diffuser. Would this be an accurate choice guys?

Thank you again.

I am certain leaves get in. I look forward to your responses.

Mark-