Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Stained Water / No Algae Growth

I've searched the forum quite a bit and cannot find a similar situation, I apologize if this is contained in another post...

I have a 5 acre lake 25ft at its deepest, watershed is majority wooded with 15 acres of CRP ground mixed in. It's located in mid Missouri, built 35 years ago and purchased 3 years ago. Good bass/panfish population, with mostly small bass (need to harvest to manage appropriately). There is extremely minimal algae growth and occasionally I'll see a green film type substance at the top. Water is stained brown (not muddy).

Now, my two questions may be related. First is why would my lake be stained (not muddy) all year long, even when you can see 5+ feet down? Second, and possibly related to first, is why would I have almost no algae in the water? (I do not believe there are grass carp). Was initially thinking age of the lake could be a factor but I've seen plenty of other lakes similar in age with crystal clear water and some algae growth. I'm hoping to figure it out so I can develop a solution.

Thanks for your help!

Hey Lunkertrout,

I am in West Central MO, about 1 hour SSE of KC. Welcome to the forum.

Have you tested your water in any way to see where you are at on the chemical level? Does your water need more fertility? May I assume you are looking for a plankton bloom that will color your water greenish rather than the current brown? You mentioned crystal clear water, is that what you are aiming for?

Lots on the forum regarding getting good plankton blooms and different testing methods for your water. I am sure someone more knowledgable than I will be here shortly. Lots on here about water quality in general and how it affects fish productions and populations. Two topics you can cruise through in the forum list are "Fertilization" and "Water Chemistry" Maybe something there will help.

Good luck achieving your goals!

CMM

Lunkertrout,

5' of visibility is pretty good, so with this piece of information coupled with the fact that the pond is older and the watershed is dominated by trees, my gut reaction is that the brown color you are observing is due to tannins in the water. Tannic water is quite common when decades worth of leaves and organic debris are allowed to accumulate.

Shawn, I think you are spot on with your assessment. We received major rain in July, and a lot of ponds were filled by runoff through wooded lands, and the ponds are now stained brown with tannic acid. Visibility is still running about 30" even though the rain stopped well over a month ago.

I'd be willing to bet that if the water was tested for total P, Ortho P, Nitrogen, alkalinity and hardness, the answer would be very apparent.

Hey Lunkertrout,

Welcome to PBF after all this time making a post!

I will vote pollen is your occasional green film. I see it all summer on my pond. Rain takes care of it.

Bill D.