Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations pond filling,want clear water

Just had a pond dug,good clay,keyway cut,if it will just rain now.Approx 2 acres,almost circular,gradual decline,damn is approx 400 feet long.Depth about approx 16 feet halfway across dam.This will be mostly for recreational swimming,water in an emergency,some fishing.Wanted catfish,but I read they turbulate the water,grrr We want the water to be as clear as possible...Wifes a country girl,but she doesn't want to swim in muddy water.Is aeration the best option for clear water,and....can I make my own system...5\8ths pipe,angled down ward to pond from shop...150 feet away.Do I Use pex tubing,pvc...aerators online look like pvc with holes drilled...what size holes,how many....

Just found this site yesterday,I was up until 1 this morning,reading,and reading....love it!

WAIT>>>another question..local pond builder here says once pond is full to put several bales of alfafa in to clear the clay....didnt see this anywhere in my readings...this guy seems pretty sharp

He probably means barley straw but I'm not convinced of its effectiveness. Effective algae control is achieved when taking a multi-angled approach. Limit sunlight penetration that reaches the bottom and bind nutrients. Algaecide works on existing growth but then you are treating the symptoms of a deeper problem. You don't have an algae problem. You likely have a nutrient problem.

The holes in your diffusers should be so small that you cant see through them and there should be thousands of them concentrated in a small area or disc. You can build your own compressor but I highly recommend investing in some well made membrane diffusers. Aeration is not intended to keep muddy waters clear.

Hunter, welcome to the forum!

If you seed the entire pool area with annual ryegrass, and all above pool disturbed soil areas with whatever permanent grasses you choose, asap, it will help greatly reduce any potential muddying that MAY occur, as well as kick start your food chain base once flooded. If after filling, and all exposed clay areas are vegetated, the water stays muddy, you may need to do some chemical correction.

"Clear" water is unlikely here in Missouri, but a fertile, healthy green is common.

The area that drains into the pond is all fescue hay field...about 20 acres.I've been thinking of telling the farmer thats rents it that he cant put fertilizer on it anymore...thats a good idea too,I hope. The money lost if he balks is worth the cleaner water.Something about swimming in turkey manure water just doesnt appeal to my wife and kids.Is fescue an acceptable alternative to rye grass...I have several 40 pound bags of that.

I seem to recall that fescue doesn't tolerate foot traffic very well. However, on a dam it might be an acceptable alternative. I just don't know enough about fescue.

I have not found that catfish really contribute much to muddy water. Maybe when they get larger they will to some limited extent.

K-31 Fescue holds up well for both foot and vehicle traffic.

You can seed the actual pool area with anything since it will die anyway once flooded. I personally do not like K-31 Fescue only because it spreads and is the reason there are so few Quail and Rabbit left in the state. Fescue can also be infected with an endophyte that is toxic to other plants, repels many animals like deer, and I am not sure if it affects aquatic life. Yet, the thickness that makes K-31 a horrible grass for ground dwellers, makes it an excellent grass for erosion control.

We've been working on the quail and rabbit habit too...lots of rabbits now,still need more work for the quail yet.Conservation agent says build it and they will come.Looks like I'll be planting grass seed over the weekend....you guys are awsome...!!!