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#446307 - 05/04/16 01:41 AM
Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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Don't want to make my first real post too long, so here goes.. I have a pond (dam) in NE Georgia. When I first bought the property the pond had been stocked with large mouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. There were frogs, geese, ducks, snakes, etc, you name it. The property was originally just an investment, not my home, so I've neglected it for several years, and now it appears to have been taken over by snapping turtles. I don't see any minnows or hear many frogs, just small bream and bass, and loads of turtles sunning in the water. The dam standpipe has rusted and broken down almost to the point it enters the dam, so the water is down about 3 feet. I'd like to install a new PVC siphon drainage system. Having a hard time finding anyone willing to do it, but I'm still working on that as we "type." Just this week I've started trying to reduce the snapping turtle population a little using milk jug lures. It seems promising---I've caught a couple on the first go 'round with just a dozen jugs. I'll post a couple of pictures just to get started. Any comments or advice you can offer, at any time, are really appreciated. View of the dam in the distance: View from the dam: Broken off standpipe:
Edited by NancyGA (05/11/16 12:42 AM)
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#446310 - 05/04/16 05:25 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 09/19/14
Posts: 2945
Loc: Harrison Co. Texas
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NancyGa, Welcome to the forum, some others have had similar experiences with their drain pipes (reading past post here). Maybe they will jump in for a suggestion or two. Looks like a nice piece of property.
Tracy
_________________________
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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#446318 - 05/04/16 08:21 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Moderator
Lunker
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 14124
Loc: Hurst & Bowie, Texas
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Nancy, welcome to PB. It is unlikely that the turtles are a problem. They are about 90% scavengers and/or vegetarians. On rare occasions, a turtle might be able to catch a healthy fish.
I'd spend some time identifying the balance of fish. Do a lot of fishing and keep a log.
_________________________
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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#446360 - 05/04/16 02:20 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent
Lunker
Registered: 01/26/09
Posts: 24034
Loc: Grovertown, Indiana
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Welcome to the forum. Fish hatcheries will sell to anyone that will buy the fish. Ideally they should work with the pond owner so they don't stock the incorrect fish for the pond owners goals, or incorrect sizes of fish (that may be eaten within a few days of stocking). Snappers will walk a mile or more to get to a body of water, especially males during breeding season. So, even though you may eliminate some now, different ones may be there next month. Eggs are probably too small for the turtles. Dead fish, crayfish, etc. will be food. If they run out of food, they might leave the pond to walk to another one too. Are the turtles you see sunning snapping turtles or are they a different species? As for a siphon drain, look in the Pond Boss Resources Guide. Maybe someone there can help. http://www.pondboss.com/resource_guide.asp?c=9
Edited by esshup (05/04/16 02:25 PM)
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#446394 - 05/04/16 04:48 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: esshup]
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Registered: 08/10/14
Posts: 972
Loc: S.E. Texas, Polk Co.
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NancyGa...Welcome to Pond Boss......tons of info and good helpful folks here. Have you thought about what your goals are for the pond? Something to think about.
_________________________
...when in doubt...set the hook...
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#446437 - 05/04/16 10:44 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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Fair enough. Here are my goals. Hope this makes sense.  Of course, all this depends on what is possible with my setup.... I think of a pond as a, more or less, closed ecological system. I'd like to maximize the diversity of species in the system, and have wildlife balanced in such a way that is sustainable over time, assuming occasional tweaking from me. I'd like to see healthy fish, frogs, snakes, plants, whatever could live there compatibly, in a good balance. I can control the input of fish species and the numbers, the habitat for natural species to some extent, the health of the water, water plants. I have heard that the siphon drainage system provides better water turnover, and results in a healthier pond, than the old standpipe drain-from-the-surface system. But it might be months before I could get the new drainage system in. Meanwhile I've got the summer free and I'd like to do what I can, now. I've noticed as the water has gone down, it has provided swampy areas around the edges that seem to be more beneficial for the frogs. There are many more frogs than there were before the standpipe rusted. This should also help newly hatched fish species I would think. Sometimes I just call these minnows, probably incorrectly, covering all speces of stocked fish. When the new drain system is put in place this will change. Maybe I can make this change more gradually. Not sure if that's possible with a siphon system, though. Probably not.
Edited by NancyGA (05/04/16 10:53 PM)
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#446438 - 05/04/16 10:52 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: esshup]
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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Snappers will walk a mile or more to get to a body of water, especially males during breeding season. So, even though you may eliminate some now, different ones may be there next month. When that happens, I'll put out some more jugs. They are pretty easy to set up. Are the turtles you see sunning snapping turtles or are they a different species? Absolutely snapping turtles. They float out in the middle of the pond with just their heads out of the water. I've caught two so far. There are a few red-eared sliders also. They sun themselves on logs. Not that many of them, though. I caught a dozen of those with a PVC trap a couple of years ago. Thanks for the link, esshup.
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#446445 - 05/05/16 12:59 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame
Lunker
Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 7027
Loc: St Louis, MO area
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Dave (or anyone), I agree the turtles can't catch healthy fish. But don't you think they would go after fish eggs, like in bream beds, and frog eggs? At least when they run out of everything else to eat?
I can spot a dozen turtles at a time sunning everywhere on the lake, and I can't really see a benefit of having so many snappers.
BTW, when I read webpages of fish hatcheries, many say they only provide to new ponds and those where all of the fish have been killed off. Is that true? (I don't expect to get them for free.) I think the "hatcheries" you checked were probably state owned and most states that stock, make your pond "Waters of the State". Private fish farms will sell whatever you order. Many fish farm operators don't know, (or forgot) how to reach goals in a sportfish pond, since their ponds are vastly different in growing fish and goals. As for reaching a "balance", nature will always balance out, but that balance may not be anything at all of what you envision a balance to be. You can put a wide variety of species in the pond that can co-exist well, but if wanting to fish for table fare, you may need t be more specific on what main species and sizes you'd like most.
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#446446 - 05/05/16 01:38 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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I think I'm getting off to a bad start here. Ha! Several of you asked for goals, so I gave it my best shot, while trying to keep it brief. Not interested in fishing at all, except maybe when relatives come to visit and they want to try it. I'll ask specific questions if I can't find answers in the archives. Thanks for your replies.
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#446454 - 05/05/16 06:36 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Moderator
Lunker
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 14124
Loc: Hurst & Bowie, Texas
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Nancy, I have never seen or been concerned about turtles eating fish eggs. Maybe they do but that's nature at work. I've also found small turtles when cleaning fish.
_________________________
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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#446460 - 05/05/16 08:52 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 12/06/14
Posts: 548
Loc: USA
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Sounds like you need to address the broken pipe first, if you want the water level to rise, correct? So maybe that is your first action item.
And if it broke where you see it then it will likely break again beneath the water's surface to I would recommend having it fixed all the way. You mentioned a siphon system, so you may then consider capping that standpipe off after filling it in.
Depending where in Georgia you are you will always have turtles entering your pond. Our pond is pretty remote, and it is surrounded on 3 sides by steep "hills", but I still spot new turtles occasionally. We've got 2 snappers I know well, but I do wonder where the new sliders come from. Turtles are pretty slow on land. Yet each year there are 1 or 2 sliders that appear. And that amazes me because the land all around our pond doesn't appear to be turtle friendly land. lol
What do you want from your pond? What are your goals? Do you want to make it natural and have water plants and wildlife? Fishing? Swimming?
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#446519 - 05/05/16 07:04 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 08/10/14
Posts: 972
Loc: S.E. Texas, Polk Co.
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I think I'm getting off to a bad start here. Ha! Several of you asked for goals, so I gave it my best shot, while trying to keep it brief. Not interested in fishing at all, except maybe when relatives come to visit and they want to try it. I'll ask specific questions if I can't find answers in the archives. Thanks for your replies. NancyGA, I'm sure you're doing just fine. Don't get discouraged. Patience is a virtue when owning and managing a pond. Remember for everything you do or don't do, there is a repercussion for it. Take your time. I agree with basslover though...maybe you need to address the busted overflow pipe situation first. I have a siphon system in my pond. It was there before we expanded the pond...so, we just kept it as it was. It works great. I'm sure you will have great fun and learn a lot in the process. I hope you continue to post pics of your progress. Charlie
_________________________
...when in doubt...set the hook...
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#446545 - 05/06/16 07:00 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 11/20/11
Posts: 1990
Loc: East Bloomfield, NY USA
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IF it is an option, I would take advantage of the broken stand pipe and low water to put in some structure and cover.
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#447067 - 05/12/16 09:24 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: liquidsquid]
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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IF it is an option, I would take advantage of the broken stand pipe and low water to put in some structure and cover. Do you have some examples of cover that could be used? Took the boat out last week. The water is *really* clear, probably too clear. The bottom that I could see looks void of all cover. In the now shallow parts, the FA (filamentous algae?) is starting to grow. Will that go away by itself if the water becomes 3 feet deeper? Or will I have to do something about it?
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#447079 - 05/12/16 01:08 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent
Lunker
Registered: 01/26/09
Posts: 24034
Loc: Grovertown, Indiana
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IF it is an option, I would take advantage of the broken stand pipe and low water to put in some structure and cover. Do you have some examples of cover that could be used? Took the boat out last week. The water is *really* clear, probably too clear. The bottom that I could see looks void of all cover. In the now shallow parts, the FA (filamentous algae?) is starting to grow. Will that go away by itself if the water becomes 3 feet deeper? Or will I have to do something about it? There is quite a bit of information about cover in this thread from the archives: http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463 The FA will continue to grow and will eventually break free from the bottom to float on the pond surface. Every place that the sun gets to the pond bottom, the FA will grow if there isn't 1) Something in the pond that eats it (Tilapia) or 2) Competing underwater plants that will utilize the nutrients.
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#447805 - 05/21/16 10:11 AM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Lunker
Registered: 07/12/08
Posts: 1088
Loc: Chambers county(Valley), alaba...
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my pond is 2 years old and i have so many sliders it is unreal. i wish i was closer to you, i would love to have the snappers in my pond. i have put 4 in there so far, but i haven't seen them since. i think they are pretty neat. my friend is trying to get me a softshell turtle. he said they are more apt to stay around. i am slowly eliminating the sliders.
_________________________
Scott Hanners
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#447856 - 05/21/16 11:18 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Lunker
Registered: 07/12/08
Posts: 1088
Loc: Chambers county(Valley), alaba...
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i'll take em.
_________________________
Scott Hanners
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#453543 - 08/06/16 01:32 PM
Re: Want to bring 5 ac pond in GA back to life
[Re: NancyGA]
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Registered: 05/02/16
Posts: 24
Loc: NE Georgia, USA
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Just a quick update. Had a visit from a civil engineer sent out by the dam excavation contractor some time ago. After an inquiry from me on the status, he emailed me a contract with an estimate ($3350) for the cost to design the drainage system on the dam---23 days after his visit. Does not include the materials or labor for actually doing the work. Seemed kind of high, but I don't know much about these things. No update from the excavation contractor as to when he might be free to do the job. These things sure move slowly, don't they. 
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