ETD Don't expect the windmill to fix your algae problems. In fact you may not see much of a difference in less algae growth due to using a windmill. Aeration helps to reduce algae primarily in ponds where the nutrients are coming from decompostion in deep water anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions. Often filamentous or sting algae is being 'fed' by nutrient runoff and aeration does not do a lot to reduce fertilizer/nutrients dissolved in the runoff / watershed water. Just for my being nosey, please keep us 'posted' on how well the windmill does at reducing your algae. Windmills are okay and much better for a pond than no aeration.
I think one of your major stimulants for the algae besides the runoff nutrients is the shallow slopes (4:1) and amount of shallow water that you have. both are very condusive to allowing filamentous algae (FA) growth. I also noticed in your pictures that your water is clear. Clear water allows sunlight to penetrate to the bottom in deeper areas thus allowing FA to become established in more bottom areas and overall more algae.
Stay on top of those cattails. Always pull out new growths. If you want a similar plant along the shore use water iris - shorter, do not spread as fast, do not grow as deep - much better shoreline plant IMO.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 05/19/11 10:06 AM.
