Had a thread going about aeration system design in that area, but decided to focus on bigger issues with my "new to me" pond. Bought a house last year, didn't really give much attention to the pond as it was a foreclosure and I was working on the house.

The pond is about 1/10 acre, maybe smaller. Had two willow trees that were about 40' tall and approximately 8 years old according to neighbors. They were right on the bank of the pond and have been cut down for a few weeks, I also put tordon stump killer on them.

The pond has a incoming fill line (running from seperate well pump) that I can control with a switch in the house. This line is about 1.5 ft from the top of the bank. So far I have filled the pond, sprayed it with some sort of algae/weed killer from our local pond guy and also dyed it blue.

The first problem I am having is keeping the pond full. First off, I'm not exactly sure where the "full" level is intended to be, I would assume almost to the top of the bank which would make the pond 10' deep or right around there. However, if I fill it up that high, I lose water rather quickly (several inches per day). If I don't fill the pond, it will drop several feet, probably at least 4 or 5 leaving a large area of a steep bank exposed, this can happen within a month. I am in WI and we haven't had a ton of warm weather. After it dries up this far, I think I still have about 5' or so of water left. I've never left it go completely without filling and forgot to measure it in spring, (didn't fill it in winter)

I feel sort of stuck as the local pond guy said he wouldn't touch it because he couldn't guarantee anything, I completely understood his position. However, I'm not one to give up and I have access to a large tracked skid-steer and 18 yard dump truck from my in-laws so I have an inkling that I can fix this thing and get it to the point were we can enjoy it and make it more efficient.

As of tomorrow pond will be full to top of bank, I planned on taking pics and measurements everyday to help show the problem I am dealing with. Is there anything else as far as information that I could provide, again, I'm hoping someone can help...I'm running out of hair to pull! I appreciate any input and or help! Matt