Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water pond was clear, now muddy.....

I have a .18 acre pond about 1.5 yrs old. Last summer the water cleared up real nice. Now recently ive noticed a big difference in water clarity. Its like choclate milk. I stocked it last year with bream and bass. I know i need to take some bream out. Also i have a layer of algea on the edges of my pond almost all the way around it. Any clues as to why the water is so muddy? Could it be the fish (to many)?
Thanks.

Unless you have had a large rain or high winds, I would bet it is spring turn over.

We've had very high winds and alot of rain in the last few months. What is spring turn over?

"Turn over" is a term used when layered water mixes. For example, warm water is less dense than cold water. Warm water rises to the top. When the air cools the warm upper layer to the same temperature as water below, water mixes. Spring turn over typically occurs when heavier layers of mixed water below rises as top water falls.
As water temperature changes, its density changes. Water is heaviest at 39 degrees F. Suspended soils often settle out when water is cold, but can temporarily re-suspend at certain water densities.
Heavy rain and high winds can mix soils into the water. That's most common this time of year. If your water stays muddy into summer, you might want to do something about it. I am sure your bass and bluegill are not the problem.

Unless you have good vegetation on the banks, wind/wave action alone can muddy up a smaller pond.

Bob, or anyone else, my pond is still muddy. I added some gypsum but that didnt seem to do anything but waste time and money . I puzzled as to why this is happening, I have grass grown all around the pond. Should i run a ph test or something like that? IF so where do i purchase this?
Thanks!

How much gypsum did you add? I put in 2800lbs in my 1&1/3ac pond. After a month it is now clear with visibility of a little over 2 feet! I can see my bass now swiming by and watch the bream and channels come up to feed. Before the gypsum I could not see a ring on my hand at 3 inches deep. I live in Opelousas, where is your pond?

Im in eunice. I think i addea about 100-150#, 2800# is very expensive! Of course my pond is only .25 acres at best prolly a lil smaller than that.

What about this stuff called "clear pac" anyone ever use this?

My pond is less than one acre and I've had excellent luck clearing the water with Alum... Aluminum Sulfate. I mixed the Alum with water in a 55 gal drum and used a coffee can to distribute it around the pond. Don't over do it ... it will change the ph to a point where you could lose fish. Start with a small amount and wait 4 or 5 days to see your results. Reapply as needed.

maybe i should have done that with the gypsum. What i did was open the bags on the deck and spray it on with a water hose, which didnt seem to be very effective.