Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants I have a weed & algae problem

I'm not as concerned about the cattails as I am about the algae.

It took me one weekend to pull the cattails and leave some bunches of them, where I wanted them. I do want some, so if I have to do that once in a while, no big deal.

It seems like the dying cattails from last year, plus poplar & maple leaves from last fall make up the majority of the decaying plant matter in the pond.

My concern is, we've only had a few warm days. I can't imagine what the algae problem will be like all summer long.

I am afraid to dig out the shallow 4:1 slope, as it will ruin my clay lining.

The decaying plant matter on the shallow banks all the way around the pond is making for a large surface area for algae manufacture.

I need to find a way to get this under control without digging out the banks, and risk creating a leak. The soil under the 1 ft thick clay lining is sandy loam, it will leak for sure.