Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Safe for Swimming?

We just bought a house with a 50'X75'X 6ft deep pond. I'm observing it as spring is now here and I see large tadpoles, frogs, and other insects in and on the water's surface. For a few weeks we had a male and female duck living here. The water is clear along the edge for about 3 or 4 feet and then there is no visibility. I'd like to know what I need to do to make the pond safe for swimming and just bring it to a healthy state; it was negelected by it's previous owner (although he did try to make a "beach" at one point, but now all that sand has slid into the pond and made it shallow around one edge). I am looking into a solar-powered aerator, but what should the PH be at, and what constitues a generally healthy pond? I've read Tim Matson's Earth Ponds Sourcebook as a start, but I think I need some direction! Thanks!

As far a swimming I think the only thing you really need to do is have a water sample tested for fecal coliform bacteria. You might check with you extension office and find out if they do the testing. Here in Alabama the Department of Public Health does it. Good luck and welcome aboard.

i would not let my kids swim in any pond until i new 100% the water was tested and very safe.then you still have to worry about snacks that might be there.i have one friend who let his kids swim in there small pond and they allways had ear problems after swimming,it's probably not worth the risk.be carefull

ok, well, i got a little experience with this one!! as a physician, i have seen ear problems in the office, emergency room, and o.r. first of all, since there may be a lawyer creeping out there, lurking.... this disclaimer: the following information should be used in conjunction with your physician and common sense. the following information is for entertainment purposes only, and should not be used to self treat or treat others. ! ok

so, see a lot of this...usually not very serious. can be especially if water skiing and a person hits the water hard and perforates the ear drum, or very serious, rarely, hit the front of the face hard and water jams up the nose and enters certain areas that communicate with veins that go to the brain. i've seen that once in residency, never since. now, swimming in ponds, must admit, i swim in mine when it doesn't have a thick bloom. i have scuba'd in mine also. but, i used Swim-Ear (can get at any pharmacy, basically is rubbing alchol, or vinegar can help) before and after i got out of the water, and for a day or 2 after! i see more people getting swimmers' ear (otitis externa) from their neighborhood swimming pool than i do from the lakes or ponds! i agree, with the above post about checking the water quality and for fecal coliform bacteria. however, many of the items change with temp. changes. it seems like in the clinic and emergency room (i work both), i see more otitis externa (swimmers) ear as the water temp warms, when bacteria just fester. so, the warmer the water, i would say be more concerned, wherever you are swimming. also, ear plugs can be utilized to keep out big chunks of stuff, but still use an ear rinse (gently of course).

occasionally, as in a recent flooding of Norfork Lake, at which time the water overflowed the campgrounds and pooping stations, it seemed as if there was a lot more gi problems seen. however, no real correlation could be found ( think about it, a few public restrooms flooded, distributed into an incredible amount of water...pretty dilute..... you would probably have to be swimming right on top of the flooded pooper area and drink the water)

anyway, use precaution and common sense. and most importantly, use an item like swim-ear or rubbing alcohol/vinegar/hydrogen peroxide (as long as you or your child don't have ear tubes) before and after you swim , and then some more!

for more info on "swimmers' ear" or otitis externa, go to www.webmd.com type in swimmers ear, then click on otitis externa.

also, don't forget your tetanus booster if due, probably gonna step on an old rusty hook or something in a pond.

now all that said, you ain't gonna get me to swim in your pond with a cow soakin' in the middle of it with it's tail up in the air droppin' some biscuits!!! mark

Very Good Post Mark!! Thanks for that info!!

You asked a question re: ICQ
It's baisicly realtime e-mail. Like yahoo, & MSN (windows messenger)
It's neat so long as you don't get someone pestering you All the time!
I have a couple of close friends that will send info now & then for comment. I can respond in real time or put it off if I desire.

Thanks for the post Mark,
I never worried about testing my pond water for fecal coliform bacteria. I figured the test would always show up positive with all the duck, goose, fish, frog, turtle fecal matter.
I assumed that the stuff breaks down and never gets to a high enough concentration to create serious illness. Just doesnot bother me,...but then again I often waterski in the Mississippi river

Nice post doc.
Mainehero, we have only had water in our new pond for 8-9 months. My boys (who whould have been yellow labs if they were dogs) have been in the water since the first rain after its completion. Granted, it is new water and the eaters/poopers only got put in two months ago, but we have not had any ear problems. Our only problem is washing all the mud off of them before they get in the truck. Not to go too anti-scientific, but humans have been swimming in ponds for thousands of years and have developed millions of happy memories in doing so. Since your water has been there for a while and you don't know what went into it before you, get your extension agent or state wildlife biologist to do a check in the lab and once your water gets a clean bill of health, build a rope swing so you and yours can start building good memories. I am with the doc, I ain't swimming with bovines.