Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Controlling Muck in a Neighborhood Lake

I'm looking to buy a home site on a neighborhood lake in North West Louisiana. The lot is off an arm of the lake and the water is fairly shallow, maybe 2-4 ft, and stagnant. Muck builds up in the arm as the wind can't really blow it out. I'm wondering what would be the most economical way to control the muck would be? Aeration? Chemicals? I've even considered dredging just off my property to increase the depth. In Louisiana tilapia are not an option.

Welcome to the forum FlyGuy!

A home on a shallow cove of stagnant water doesn't sound too appealing - even if you dredge out the area in front of your lot, you'll still be surrounded by shallow mucky areas. Have you considered shopping for land upon which to build a home and possibly a pond?

Well I had thought maybe aeration might help...

Yes aeration would help, yes dredging would help, but you will loose the battle. If you can't do the whole body of water you will spend time and money and be frustrated. If you like the way the lake is then fine. I agree with teejaeh57. Look for a perfect piece of land to build a pond on, then build a house and a pond. If the water is important you will much happier with your own pond.

Welcome to the forum, Flyguy!

Maybe there's a reason that particular home is on the market? Visit with the immediate neighbors with specific questions about the pond.

Was there some clean up done just prior to the home going on the market?
Is there an odor when the wind blows your direction?
What are the weeds and algae like at various times of the year? (could be very unsightly!)
What would the neighbors like to see done in that particular arm of the lake?
Is the association easy to work with?
Why did their neighbor decide to sell?

Look 2-5 years down the road. How will that arm of the lake look then and how might it affect your property value?

Just some thoughts and I wish you the best!

Louisiana is beautiful and benefits from plentiful precipitation, sounds like a perfect scenario for land shopping for your home and pond. Just trying to convey that dredging or aeration or beneficial microbes will not solve the issue for your entire cove - the remaining area will continue to be "shallow, mucky, and stagnant" and fishing likely would not be productive - if that's important to you. I'd reserve that capital to invest in your own land or a better home on a better lake situation and not try to reverse the eutrophication process well underway on this BOW.