Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Golf Course Pond Help!!!

Our pond was recently inspected at the local golf course amd it is about an 80 yard curcle pond... It is 15ft deep and has 5FEET OF ALGAE on the bottome ofthe pomd. What is the best way to get the algae killed in a timely and cost effective manner without killing the grass on the golf course. There are no fish in the pond at all so we are not worried about that aspect only the grass. Please let me know what your thoughts are on how we can go about treating this.

Thank You.

Do you irrigate out of the pond?

Copper works really well for algae. Cutrine plus liquid or granular, Copper sulphate would be good.

I'm not sure if copper damages grass but if you are worried about overspray I'd go with a granular product. Very easy to apply. You just need a small cup to sling it out in the water.

Yes irrigation is solely out of the pond. We need something that will not kill the grass and that we can test the pond water to make sure we stay within the proper parameters.

Thanks,

In that case I'd consult a professional.

load it up with tilapia

will tilapia or grass carp live in sewage type water???

Does anyone have an easy dosage chart or calculation for copper sulphate? Will it kill the algae/plant growth in the bottom of the pond?

3 acre pond depth is 12ft

Thanks

Sewer water at a golf course?

Pat - it's probably "effluent water", which is treated sewage that has been prepped for discharge back into "nature". Many golf courses are converting to effluent water since it doesn't count against their groundwater permit$, but with the effluent comes plenty of nutrients - and algae, unless the water has a adequate bloom that limits sunlight penetration.
During the midst of the 2013 drought, the city of Wichita Falls (TX) was preparing to switch their potable water supply to effluent-sources since the City's water-supply reservoir had dwindled to 15% of normal pool. You know it's bad with you're faced with that option. Fortunately, they finally received a week of rain that completely filled the reservoir.

don't think grass carp will help with algae.

Tilapia will live in your back pocket if you keep it wet.

Assuming you mean the stringy filament type algae and not just the suspended planktonic algae and in just green water.

You would be hard put to find a golf coarse in FL that is not loaded with tilapia, I am sure that's for a reason.

not sure if you are in an area that the tilapia that you are able to stock will over winter. I do not think you can stock Blue tilapia in TX?

I would use Cutrine Plus or similar copper chelate. This will not harm grass, and has no irrigation restrictions when used correctly. It is very effective on benthic, filamentous, and planktonic algae. If there are no fish you can push the limits with the dose, but I would start with 1 gal per acre foot, use a surfactant like Cide Kick and see how it responds.

We call it grey water. Lots of great nutrients in it. I would look at maintaining water quality with hydrated lime. It will tie up soluble nutrients and make them available for the lawn you shoot it on.

Just maintain PH of pond water to 7.2 with hydrated lime and it will grow grass like you have never seen.

Cheers Don.

Copper sulfate calculation:
1. estimate or measure approximate surface acreage (Google "ACME Planimeter" for free measuring method using google maps)
2. estimate average depth

(Surface acreage) X (Avg. depth) = acre feet

To get the recommended CS dose you need 1 ppm (part per million). It takes 2.73 pounds of copper sulfate per acre foot to get that concentration.....so

(acre feet) X 2.73 = pounds of copper sulfate you need to properly treat.

In our part of the Midwest you want to probably do this twice each season in a pond that has FA problems....the first time as the water hits 48-50 degrees and then a couple of months later if needed. On the second dose, as mentioned in an earlier post, you might try Cutrine Plus liquid and spot treat from time to time.
Hope that helps. BM61