Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Widgeon Grass

Hello, this is only my second post so please bear with me. My pond is in central Michigan, is approx one plus acre, is approx 5 years old, and has always been unusally clear. The pond is
about 18 feet deep in about 1/4 of it and probably is about 8 feet on average. This year all of a sudden I have what I think is Widgeon Grass growing in almost all of the areas of the pond. The weed is growing thickly in twelve feet plus water and seems to stay just under the surface. At first I thought I finally had some weeds for the fish to hide in. Now I'm alarmed at how thick and fast this weed grows. I had no idea it grows in such deep water. Do you have any opinions and suggestions on its control. Does the clear water contribute to the problem? Usually the bottom is visible in almost all areas of the pond.

Welcome and this is the place to ask questions. Click on this link and then on management options. Clear water that lets light penetrate to the bottom is a factor in submerged weed growth. Lots here under controlling unwanted plants heading , which you have posted under..

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/submerged_plants/widgeon_grass.htm

Ewest is pointing you in a good direction.

Bottom line: For plants, including algae, to grow three things are needed; sunlight penetration, temperature, and nutrients. Cut off any one of the three and the plant life dies. This is extremely oversimplified. Dying plants create more nutrients so you have to stay after it.

Thanks for the fast replies,
Do you think I should fertilize the pond to make it less clear so the weeds won't grow so much? What do you think about trying to control the weed growth with grass carp - are they legal to have in Michigan? If so how does a guy locate where to buy some. Is this Wigdeom Grass weed a problem for other Michigan pond owners? I.m afraid if I kill it chemically without dealing with the clear water problem then some other weed will just take hold and cause problems. Great site by the way

We also have Wigdeom grass in our pond 900 ft. x 100 ft. pond. I'm also interested in grass carp - didn't Pond Boss have an article on them a few months back? We're also in Michigan and will look forward to the answers about where to get some de-sexed grass carp. How many for a pond our size? We have a lot of fish and wildlife and want SOME weeds - just not so many!
Thanks!

When the diver ducks start migrating, alot of that widgeon grass will disappear.