Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Weekly Observations

Bremer Pond looks healthy and comfortable for your fishes!

Things are moving up in the depths.

Our short lived stretch of warm weather melted all the snow on the pond and let the sun shine in. Now it is snow covered again but that influx of sunlight appears to have regenerated something down there that makes 02.

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Wow - nice jump at all 3 levels.

How long before ice out ?

Nice example showing how even under ice, photosynthesis is still what introduces the most oxygen.

Dave, the latest O2 readings here showed a spike on an average of 2.0 mg/l top to bottom just due to less snow cover and thinner ice coupled with a few full sun days. Most of this winter has been overcast. All the ponds increased roughly the same amount.

That is one of the top ten "it depends" questions!

March 28.

Does anyone know were in Illinois I can get shiners at that is close to Rock Island, IL?? I know that anderson minnow farm sells them via air freight from out of state, but can't find any place close to were I live.

Thanks for that update, Scott!

Jason -- start a new thread with your question. Few people will see it burieddown this far.

Dave, the data is compiled, you'll get a season in review via e-mail once you say the study is done for the year.

I'm sure the story is essentially done, but we'll run it a bit longer? Besides, I can't use the SD weather to judge IN, especially this year!

The story is never done.

I agree, it's never done. We were supposed to get 1"-2" of rain last night and ended up with 1/2". Still froze up solid and there is still snow on the ground.

We have been back in the deep freeze and snow again completely covers the pond. The forecast is warmer but it is supposed to snow Sun-Mon-Tue-Wed. Ice thickness increased for the 3rd week in a row.

Bottom D.O. continued to climb a bit this week while the mid and upper levels have gone back down to or even lower than where they were 2 weeks ago.

This winter sure seems longer than most even the the pond has only been ice covered for 15 weeks. Last year the total was 17 weeks. On this date last year the ice was 26.5 inches thick compared to 23 inches this year. Last year the ice was gone 4 weeks from this date so there is room for optimism.




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We've noted a decrease in clarity the last three outings. This may be due to the lack of light penetration. Can't see the bottom like earlier. Something to check next week and see what you think. On it goes

More than likely the reduction in clarity is a result of the week of sunlight penetration increasing photosynthesis levels.

Dwight, I agree the decreased clarity is likely due to an algae bloom from the week of increased light penetration...If the decreased clarity is in fact due to a bloom, should there be a concern of a near certain die-off of the algae and consumption of oxygen now that the pond is snow covered and has reduced sunlight again?

In previous winters it hasn't been a problem though that is no gaurantee.

I think that these winter blooms are pretty weak since the water is still very clear. The clarity is still at least 96 inches.

It looks to me like we are turning the corner towards spring. The D.O. has fluttered for a few weeks and has again headed upward. The snow is melting and the forecast shows warm days ahead.

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Yes, the forecast finally looks like the change is here. Whew. Thanks goodness. I mean, your data set is really great, and really fun and all, but sheesh! :-)

Pretty cool yo see the bottom DO up so much despite the ice staying at 20 inches.

Big big jump in that bottom DO. ? river/GW effect ?

The POND knows that spring starts next week with temps in the 50s and 60s! :-)

Longer days (more sunlight) can also cause things to wake-up. But not just the bottom DO.