Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Water color

From May 20th to the 24th we had 4.5" of rain at our pond site. The biggest rain was on the 20th and was 2.7". I'm at full pool for the first time in a long time. My drainage is split 50/50 (roughly) between old standing timber, with lots of oaks and hickories, and two alfalfa fields. Plus there is a gravel/dirt road that runs down hill from two directions and funnels quite a bit of very dark runoff into the pond.
I've had pretty clear water for the last few years. Rainman did the alum treatment a few years ago and it was incredibly clear after that.
After these last few storms which ended five days ago, I've got brown stained water. It has a brown tint to it. It's still pretty clear, I'm just not used to brown. It's been mostly green up until now. I've got a couple of pics one that I tried to capture the brown color with, and another taken in shallow water that shows the clarity.
My question is, is this a normal color? I've read posts in the past about a bad brown algae, and I sure don't want to have that. We will be swimming in it next weekend if it's warm enough.
Any suggestions on how I can get it tested, or test it myself, to make sure it's not the harmful algae. My daughter is bringing her two yr old twins, they like to float around in life jackets. Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff

Most likely tannins and fines from the run-off. Should clear on its own and should not cause any issues in the meantime.

Good news. Thanks! Everything else in the pond seems healthy.

my old pond would get a brown look for months at a time. you could take a small boat with trolling motor and stir it up. it only seemed to be the top few inches. it was perfect green color underneath.

my new pond is on it's 3rd summer. first 2 seasons water was perfect. this year it kept a pretty stained look, but not like my old pond. i added 5 tons of lime and it got clear within a week. i still can't get a heavy enough bloom, but it is green now instead of brown.

it sure seems like each pond is different for sure. i have fought fa and other weeds in both ponds. i see other ponds all around that look perfect. i really think the fish load and auto feeders contribute too many nutrients for me.

please keep us updated on your water clarity. i'd like to know how soon yours settles out.

Will do Scott. Thanks for the info. I'll be back again next week. It's just weird seeing "brown" like this. I'm guessing it has to do with the drainage out of the woods, and off the road. I've seen the water draining in off the road before. It's just a dirt and rock road, but it's been in use for over 100 yrs. It used to be a county road. We have the foundation from a one room schoolhouse back near the pond. Pictures of kids and teacher standing in front of it from 1904. It probably saw quite a bit of traffic at one time.
Looks like this now.

SetterGuy,
Your water looks very much like my pond water. I have no runoff to speak of and I doubt your hard packed road is bringing much silt in with it. I suspect that you like I have tannins that come out of leaves. I see in the water at the bottom of the pond you have lots of leaves just like me.

Some of my spring murky color is temporary as it is a bloom, but the rest of the year I have that same hue to the water, maybe not quite as powerful as yours.. I think tannins plus bloom is more like the reason and the bloom can be there for 2-3 weeks ( a good thing for your food chain if it lasts a bit!)

Should be fine to swim in.

Good enough CC. Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't have any thoughts about jumping in, but I get a little concerned with letting the two year olds get in. We keep telling them, "Don't drink it!"