Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Severe Water Cloudiness

My pond is 1.5 acres and I keep it full via a dedicated water well. There is no watershed that contributes to the water levels. We did have a very heavy rain a few weeks ago and the entire property flooded. I couldn't tell where the pond was located and where the flooded pasture began.

After the water receded, the water in the pond went from a pretty green to a very dirty, brown color. I am sure that sediment from the pasture caused this. It has been 3 weeks now and the water is still the same dirty color. What is most concerning is that since this occurred, I have not seen any sign of my fish whatsoever. Previously, when the fish feeders went off the water would boil with bluegill and bass. Now, there is absolutely nothing coming to the feeders.

What could have caused this? Will the sediment eventually settle out?

Mako tell us a little about your pasture... Fertilized or not , animals that sort of thing so the brains of the bunch can help you with your question

Could they have gone elsewhere during the flood?

I will assume that you have walked the pasture to see if any were left high and dry.

Due to heavy rains, my ponds have filled for the first time in many years. I find some small fish were washed out through the overflow but that is to be expected. Nothing is coming to feed due to, I assume, the new environment they are in. And, that environment isn't clear water. The rain is continuing and it will take time for everything to clear.

Like mine, I figure your fish are mostly still there but are in a totally new world. More than likely, both of our watery environments will clear.

Mako, I don't know if this helps any but after getting over 7" of rain and my pond rising to full pool (up about 3'), my fish have not fed since, and like yours they're always ready for food!

I know they're there but as Dave said, they're in a totally new world.

I'll keep trying and eventually they'll come back as I hope yours do too!

Keith

I think part of it is that a lot of the fish species fed pellets are site feeders so are less likely to feed in very turbid conditions. Mine do the same thing. I am worried more that it will affect the spawn.

The pond is next to a hay pasture. The pasture is around 80 acres but only about 15-20 acres would have drained towards the general direction of the pond. I lease the pasture out to a hay farmers and it is very likely that he applied fertilizer prior to the big rain. If he did and if I ended up with a lot of fertilizer in my pond, would that explain the off colored water? Does that mean that I have an oxygen depletion? Would that cause the pond water to "flip?

Another change in the pond is that I have alligator weed around the entire perimeter of the pond. I never had any in the pond before and now it is everywhere. Seems unlikely that the flood occurred and then 2 weeks later I have all this alligator weed but it sure seems strange to me that I went from none to a lot in just one year.

It may also be a lot of natural forage is washed into the pond, and the quick change in water chemistry makes them a little less hungry. Our last spring's flooding rains did the same thing for us. Until the perch could see the food again, we saw nothing. Once it cleared up they made up for lost time!

I see my pond every time it rains go milky and visibility change by 10"s less then before. I don't normally see it go to mud but milky then a good bloom sets in. This is every time it rains. My pond gets no I mean no surface run off at all.

Cheers Don.