My pond has become overrun with water hyacinths due to last years lack of a hard freeze here in Louisiana. I was raking them out little by little but they were growing and spreading faster than I could remove them doing it that way. So I took a few days and hit it hard and removed all of it. I do have plants that are rooted that runs along the pond's bottom. They are not a nuisance, at least not at this time.
I am now creating artificial structures. I did put several sections of christmas trees, when the pond was first built. I also have a couple large plastic pallets. This week I have added 4 new structures. When I learn how to post pics I will add some. The new structures are about 2 feet tall and a foot and a half to 2 feet wide.
My question is, at what point do I have enough artificial structures with out going overboard? Or is this something that I just have to watch and monitor and make changes as my fingerlings thin out or overcrowd?
It has been said that 20% of the surface area of a lake or pond should be habitat. What we are learning is a multitude of additional benefits to water quality and periphyton growth with more surface area of substrate. More surface area equals more natural high quality food, cleaner water, less phosphorus and nitrogen buildup and............. LOTS MORE FISH!!
