Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Planning Vegetation in New Pond

Hello All,

New pond dug south of Houston. Pic can be seen here: New Pond.

My objective for the pond is sport fish. Stocking plan limited to CNBG, FMH, RES, and either LMB or HSB.

I have several months before I plan to fill and will be building a number of structure and habitat contributions as well as installing aeration before filling. I will work with Overton Fisheries on the stocking plan, phasing, feeding and chemistry.

I want to purposely introduce the desirable vegetation to support the ecosystem instead of taking happenstance.

Demensionally the pond is ~270ft long, roughly kidney shaped, with a width of ~120ft in the ends and ~75ft in the center section. Max depth below grade (estimated full pool) is ~12-14ft in the ends and ~9-10ft in the center section.

I had a shelf created in one end ~5ft wide x 25ft long that will be ~5-6ft deep when full. I plan to add a layer of gravel here for a spawning area.

What plants would you all recommend for this pond and when would be appropriate to begin introducing vegetation after filling?

I am lesser concerned with aesthetics that with creating as well balanced system as possible while maintaining fishability..

Thanks for all of your help.

JT

You don't "need" plants, but they will help with utilizing nutrients that if left unused, will contribute to FA growing.

I'd look at American Pondweed, any variety of hardy lily that will grow in your area, pickerelweed, arrowhead, blue iris, sweet flag, varigated sweet flag, eelgrass and water plantain. I'm sure I left a few out.....

JT, you've already gone a long way in preventing unwanted weeds by getting a good slope on your banks.

Personally, I like hardy lilies, American Pondweed, and Arrowhead. They all stay pretty close to the bank, and from my experience, they don't spread to fast to control if needed.

I will add that a good plankton bloom will help keep submergents in check, as will turbid water during a water rise. Clear water may look good for a while, but it can create issues with all kind of unwanted nasties with such a long growing season.

The above has just been my experiences.

EDIT: Just saw esshup's post, yep.

Thanks guys! Any advice on timing for introducing the plants following fill? I assume that I will need to stock / feed long enough to create a nutrient base?

The nutrients will be mostly in the soil, I wouldn't be concerned about adding fertilizer. OTOH, I don't think a small amount of 12-12-12 (say a handful in a 4'x4' area worked into the soil) wouldn't hurt.

Where would a guy get some american pondweed?

Cisco, PM sent

FirelsHot.. I'd be interested in that information as well.

PM sent

Sorry to bump an old thread but I would be very interested in American Pondweed as well. FireIsHot please PM me!

Thanks!

PM sent.

I would also be interested in this information.

FireIsHot and Cisco, you guys were PM ing about where a guy could get a start of American Pondweed. I sure would like to get that info too.
Tom Sterling ( Shelby County ).

Guys, Joe Snow Aquatics in Argyle TX is the only place I know of that carries them. I've also searched online and couldn't find any at all, even at the aquarium stores.