Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Alum and shallow water

Has anyone had success using alum in shallow (3' to 4') muddy water. I know from tests I have done that the Alum will indeed clear the water if the right dosage is put in, but how long will the water stay clear?? Alum makes the clay particles floc (stick together) so they get heavy and sink to the bottom. In a shallow lake will wind/waves/rain action stir up the particles from the bottom again? And if it does will they floc again and return to the bottom? All opinions are wanted on this. Jump in.

Alum (Aluminum Sulfate) will clear up the muddy water if the cause is due to water chemistry issues (but use caution if fish are present as it may cause severe pH swings). However, alum won't aleviate a physical issue (wading livestock, fish "rooting up" the bottom, disturbed soils in the watershed being washed into the pond by rain, etc.).
So, presuming that you've confirmed a chemistry issue AND know how to avoid pH swings, you should also be aware that resuspension of the "flocked" clay particles is possible - but usually associated with a physical disturbance. In most situations of which I'm familiar, retreatment was necessary if/when a resuspension occured.

It is a chemistry issue and we have taken steps to not allow any new silt wash from coming in. Now back to the original question. Will wind/wave action in this 3.5' lake stir up the floc???? And if it does, will it refloc???? We have a good many catfish in this lake which may also be part of the problem. May have to have a giant catfish fry!!!

Hey Kellie,

You are just a mere fingerling.......Better get busy posting in here if you want to be a lunker. lol. Thanks for your response.

>>you should also be aware that resuspension of the "flocked" clay particles is possible - but usually associated with a physical disturbance. In most situations of which I'm familiar, retreatment was necessary if/when a resuspension occured.<<

***** AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, the clay particles ARE CAPABLE of becoming resuspended in the watercolumn - due to wind/wave action or some other PHYSICAL DISTURBANCES - but the particles may be precipitated with another aluminum sulfate treatment; as they will unlikey precipitate again on their own.

Fingerling vs Lunker: Hmmm -- Quantity has absolutely nothing to do with Quality.

ahhhhhhh, you have answered my question!!! Resuspension is not likely. That is the answer I was looking for. In other words, as King Bob says, "that's just a bandaid"!! We do not want to continue applying alum (expensive) to our lake every year. On top of that, there is the possibility of a fish kill if the PH drops to low. I understand alum, just don't understand it's results in certain conditions. Your fingerling quality may soon be lunker......keep it up. Thanks.

Also, can I quote you on your statement???? And please list your qualifications for making this statement. (Not second guessing you, we are having a war with the developer who built this lake.) Bob is aware of this and has been to our lake. BrianC.

Brian,
Still haven't been able to talk with Dennis. Frankly, didn't take time to call him over the weekend, but will do it tomorrow. I'll be in the office for the first time in a month tomorrow. Lot's to take care of.
Here's my thoughts on your question. Alum will absolutely work in your lake. For a day. It is definitely not the long term answer you seek. There's too much water volume passing through the lake, and the water's too shallow. Your best long term solution will be to deepen areas that are too shallow, vegetate the watershed, and periodically clear water with gypsum, as needed. Alum is a quick fix, temporary solution to a long term problem. My qualifications? I have worked with muddy ponds, mostly with frustration, for 23 years. I have used alum, gypsum, lime, hay, filters, rearranging water flow, and every creative idea we could think of, over the years. Your lake was not built properly in the first place. A dam was built, with insufficient thought and action given to the lake itself. Poor construction has helped lead to problems. Throw in the fact you have soils conducive to suspending in water, and you can see why the problem exists. I'll be in touch, as soon as I can. Chasing the paying gigs right now.