Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Telling the difference between silt and planktonic

I have a three year old pond, about 1/4 acre. It's banks are well vegetated, and the drainage area is all mowed lawn. The lawn is not fertilized. The pond is aerated. I am unsure of whether I have a strong bloom, or if the aerator is suspending silt. The airstones are on the bottom, but are on a large rubber pad. There are also many Channel Catfish in the pond, could they be stirring up silt? Secchi disk reading of roughly 18 inches. I know that is acceptable, but I would prefer more clarity. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it is an algae bloom what is the best way to temper it back. Also the fish are fed daily, so I am certain that the pond is fairly fertile. It also clears somewhat during the winter, which I would expect of a bloom, but the aerator is also turned off then as well.

I would appreciate any and all ideas. Thanks

Can you post a pic ?

I hope this works

HOw many on a per acre basis are "many" CC and what are their sizes? My guess the lack of clarity is due to primarily numerous CC, and possible wind exposure, and possibly running aerator too long each day, and maybe one or two other things - it depends. The only good way to answer your question is to have the water examined quantitatively and microscopically by someone with good experience. This will determing the realationship or ratio of phytoplankton to detritus/silt.

Bill, there would be 120 CC on a per acre basis. Although there are only around 30 in my 1/4 acre pond. They are averaging 16 to 20 inches long. The pond has GS,FHM,HSB,BG,RES,Chain pickerel,HBG,and Bowfin would be my top predator.

How long per day are you running the aerator? I'm guessing the problem is mainly due to too many CC and the aerator is exacerbating the problem. Some think CC do not cause water clarity issues. IMO the 1/4 ac pond for clear water (vis. 4-6ft) should have no more than 2-4 large CC with active aeration. Age of pond, productivity (nutrient budget-load), amount of submerged vegetation, and bottom composition will also have effects on water clarity.

Bill, I have been running it 24/7. Two years ago I had a major spring inversion, with every fish at the top of the pond sipping air. There are about 20 acres draining to my little pond and you can imagine what a cold spring rain does. Goes straight to the bottom, and brings the bottom water to the top. So since that event, I have ran it as a safety measure. I imagine that once summer comes I can run it at night only. Also one of my goals was for this to not only be a sport fishing pond but also a food fish pond, hence the CC. I had planned on taking 10 out per year, and replacing them as I removed them. Maybe water clarity and channel catfish production are mutually exclusive

Oh, and the bottom composition is heavy Clermont clay, if that means anything. Also there is no submerged vegetation, only emergents. And lastly, I don't need 4-6 foot of clarity, but would like to have more than my current 18 inches. Also does my poor clarity affect bluegill reproduction? Thanks

Knowing your goals helps. IMO water clarity should improve in direct relationship to the number and size of CC. I believe as CC get larger their propensity to disrupt sediment increases. I think as you remove CC and reduce aerator run time the annual water clarity will gradually improve. This assumes periods of clearer and cloudier water due to season, water temps, fish activity, wind, runoff, etc, etc. Average water clarity should be measured with a secchi disk or similar device and recorded weekly or every two weeks. A bottom aerator "fans" any sediment disturbance or inflow from silty runoff. Clearer water, numberous CC, bare bottom sediments, and 24/7 aeration usually do not 'go well' together.

Thanks Bill. I plan to hit it from all fronts. Reduce CC, and aerator run time, and do a test or two in a jar with alum. Will probably try to add more vegetation in my shallow inflow end.

I welcome any other thoughts.

I'd PM Bill and see how much he charges to analize a water sample.

To measure clarity as conditions change it is very good to have a device to measure water clarity. See:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=294313&#Post294313

Update. It was silt. I applied alum at the rate of 400lbs per acre foot. Cleared it up fairly well, May add another 100 Lbs. A nice bloom has started, and I was actually able to catch fish on lures yesterday. Even caught one of my Bowfin.