Where is Cecil when we need him? Doesn't he take chara out of his ponds by the wheelbarrow load?
I too believe it is chara (the algae is pronounced "kara" -- but the spelling has become a popular name for newborns, and can be pronounced Sarah, Kara, or Chara (with a "ch" sound like in church)).
Coontail is pretty similar, and closely related. It has smooth branches and the stems are more translucent, and they appear to be filled with green Jell-O. Coontail also lacks the musky odor found with chara.
In any case, both can be controlled the same way. However, in a large pond/lake they often are not a problem unless they really interfere with swimming and fishing.
