I often visit a pond that is on "public" land here in Mexico. It recieves runoff from some fields where I am sure they use some sort of pesticide.
There are actually two ponds right next to each other with a 100 ft strip of land with a road between them. The first one (higher up) seems like more work than it is worth at this stage of the game. The second one (lower down) seems more promising. It has an earth dam with a small concrete dam section. I don't know its depth yet, but due to the slope and the age of the pond (+50 years guessing by trees that have grown on or near the dam), I don't think it it is more than a few feet deep, maybe six feet at the absolute most.
When up there the other day, evening time around five, I noticed there were no birds drinking the water, no tadpoles, no frogs, very few insects in the water and none in the air bothering me either. I thought I saw some fish activity but it was more likely just methane gas bubbles popping up. (which was common) Although it was a bit of a cool eveing here at about 8,000 ft, it seems like there should have been SOME sort of critter activity.
The water was white and the pond seemed to be about 50% covered in what I think is giant duckweed and some sort of grass.
I took some photos for your assesment. I would appreicate your input on what is wrong with the pond, its potential, and what can be done.
The land gently slopes downward toward the SW.
View of upper pond from the road that devides them:
View of lower pond from the same point in the road that devides them:
Close to the edge:
Closeups:
Backside of dam. Notice the large trees.
