Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations small pond questions......

I just bought a house with a small pond in back:
(150'x50') one and a half year old, stocked with bream and bass depth is 6-7' transitioning to 1' or so. The owner said last year the pond was clear, (he added some gypsum) and they caught lots of bream and a few bass. Now the pond is very muddy, and we can't catch a bream to save our life?? Is this size pond gonna pose problems all the time for me? It has no aeration, and no well. Its fed thru rain water and runoff from backyard of the house. Looking for ideas to make this a nice looking pond along with some fish catching for my kids. Any ideas and or pics would be greatly appreciated!

You have about 1/6 acre and need to first determine why it is muddy. Dip up a jar full and set it aside. If it clears, you know that some sort of turbulence is causing the problem. If not, then you have positive and negative clay particles repelling each other.

Do the jar test and, in the meantime, read all of the posts under the Muddy Water Thread. It can be tough to whip.

i'll do the jar test, anyone have any comments on my other issues, ie, fish, what to plant and where? Should I aereate? Should I even consider making the pond larger?

I would plant bermuda on all sides where it will grow. This will keep wash outs from happening and somewhat keep trash from washing in.

Im noticing that the slopes on three sides of the pond are pretty flat, could that be a potential problem or is it ok?

I don't see a problem. You won't get much depth close to shore but it beats rebuilding. Easier to mow.

Any sites around that have greater discussion on small ponds like mine? I see most of u hear have an acre or more size.

You may have smaller than the average pond size here (then again, maybe not), but I doubt you will find better small pond info anywhere else (unless it were for garden-type koi ponds - then maybe).

I think as the number of forum members has gone up, the average pond size has gone down.

First try to figure out why the pond is cloudy. Provide us results of the jar test. When the pond clears the fish catching should improve. There is lots of information here dealing with small ponds. Cecil has 3 ponds smaller than yours. Your goals for the pond and what you want from the pond will determine how you will need to manage the pond to produce your goals.