Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Spraying for Unwanted Vegatation

I am wanting to spray some pre-emergent on the backside of some of my pond dams to prevent much of the fast growing brush like vegatation that comes up. I have a good stand of grass but all the other plants seem hard to control. I am concerned though about anything that might negatively effect my fish. Runoff fro the backside of many of my dam locations flows into other ponds I have. Any suggestions of a safe chemical to spray? Or should I just forget it? I don't want to do anything that is not healthy for the overall ecosystem.

Okie, have you thought of, or do you have acreage for a few goats?
My son raises Boer goats that manicure his dam and pond edges and they never get in the water as do cattle.
Between goats, tilapia and grass carp they never have to mow, trim OR use chemicals for vegetation control.

OKie,

Any of the glyphosate base herbicides won't hurt your fish -- at least none have ever hurt mine. They break down fast in contact with organic matter like the ground. I just use Rodeo or Round up myself even for Cattails.

There is some talk about it being harmful to frogs but since I have used it I have more frogs than ever. I think the herons are much more deadly on frogs.

BTW not disagreeing with George. By all means if you can do something without chemicals I'm all for it.

Touchdown Pro 2.5 gallons (bigger jobs)
Shore Klear 1 quart (smaller jobs)
Mix with Cide Kick II

Also 1 gallon reward mixed with Cidekick II and water will treat 1 acre of vegetation and would not hurt your fish or ecosystem.

Herbicides approved for water applications cost a lot more than their land counterparts (round up), but they are safer for your pond life.
Also if it is not approved for water use in Illinois, it is illegal to use near water.