I have a friend with a pond in central North Carolina that is slightly over an acre that receives runoff from a pasture and yard. It is a typical older pond very shallow at one end sloping gradually to about 7 feet on the dam end. The water is clear, he has not fertilized regularly. He has a very heavy infestation of Chara over a large part of the pond, especially in the shallower portions (maybe in the deeper, but I didn't get out in a boat to see. There is a heavy coating of filamentous green and blue-green algae floating around on the surface of the pond as well. There is no aeration on the pond. I did not have a chance to test pH, alkalinity, etc. He uses the pond as a recreational fishing pond for his family and grandkids.
I need to help him get it back in shape. My reading indicates that copper sulfate may be appropriate to kill the Chara, but could be harmful to the fish if the water chemistry isn't in certain parameters. I really don't know.
My thoughts would be to use the copper sulfate to kill the chara, then to begin a good fertilization program next spring to limit produce algae blooms that will limit the light to the bottom, and to also recommend that he stock a small number of triploid grass carp or maybe tilapia to help control these weeds should they start to come back next spring.
Does any of this make sense, or am I totally off base. I could really use some input from some experts.
Thanks
