Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Interesting water color change

Wonderful rainfall in East Texas has our pond up about 5 feet over the past month and we have 4-6 more inches on the way that should translate into another 3-4 feet. Just 2 weeks ago the pond was very muddy and similar to what our other new ponds looked like when they were filling. This new pond however has turned clear with a slight tea colored tint to it very rapidly. If I take a clump of clay and throw it into the water, it sinks and clears very quickly. Our last pond took tons of lime and months to clear. It has been great to see the water clear on its own after only 2 weeks. I recall that the muddy water is caused by suspended clay particles(positive/negative charges) I am guessing maybe a different PH in this pond as a result of decaying leaves from the pond upstream of this one? Any logical explanation? First photo is from roughly 2 weeks ago after a 2 foot jump in level - second photo is from this weekend after last weeks rain added another 3 feet.

Just a guess, but it looks tannic to me.

Is the pond in red clay?

EDIT: I'm a dupe. Just saw pond's in Mineola. If so, bet it's the soil.

Odd thing is that last year the water remained muddy all year (until it all dried up from the drought) and then this year it was muddy since rain began in November/December. The only difference is that the pond upstream is now full and is overflowing into this ravine. The upper end of the ravine does have a lot of leaves in it.

Maybe that's it then. Others will take a look I'm sure.

It's just almost the identical situation I had this year with my small pond. Our soil is almost the same, and I've got a strip of iron ore in that one small area. My big lake has none, and they're side by side.

What a difference last weeks additional 6 feet of water makes!

What is the size of this pond?

Estimated to be 2.5 acres at full pool. The photo above was taken from the dam which is the largest portion of the pond. Its roughly 15 feet deep at this point. The pond floods a creek ravine back as far as the eye can see. The ravine depth is currently 2-6 feet and 20-50 feet wide depending on location. Here is another angle looking towards the dam. I estimate that the full level will cover the bright green grass just below the tree line.

I looked at the before and after pics. Yep, quite a difference. Neat place.