Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Another Festivus Miracle??????

MM As Ted suggested once the water level gets to the gravel/stone ledge the wave action is dissipated by the stones ledge and less sediment is resuspended during windy periods. Ice cover eliminates all wind action on the suspended sediment and fairly rapid settling often occurs as you noticed. It was not a new years miracle. If we get ice cover again you should notice even more clearing and increased water visibility will occur when the ice goes off in early March. But by then you wate could have a heavy green tint due to a rich phytoplankton bloom. Nutrient levels on existing water will determine how "rich" the bloom becomes. During the spring overturn you may get some resuspension of light flocculated sediments and additional greening of the water could occur in the warming weather. Depending on the external influences affecting the pond you will typicially see some seasonal variability in water clarity. Currently my pond has 11 ft of visibility. Water visibility is usually greatest during late fall, winter.

Since your pond started a fairly rapid clearing with the onset of ice cover you should never have to use gypsum or alum. Your sediments have natural settling characteristics.