Originally Posted by FishinRod

Snipe (and others),

What are the reasons for being "very dependent on suspended sediment"?

I have seen lots of Kansas farm ponds get very muddy after big rains, but I don't know the causes of harm.

1.) Can enough silt deposition actually smother fertilized eggs in the nest?

YES

2.) Does the murky water prevent the fry and fingerlings from sight-feeding for extended periods?

Somewhat but it also reduces the food base (plankton) for them to eat. If that is extensive at the wrong time it can do a lot of year class damage.

3.) Does the murky water shut down the bottom of the food chain based on photosynthesizing organisms and that quickly has negative impacts moving up the food chain?

Yes - see above.

I know it is important to practice good erosion control and keep silt out of our ponds. However, in arid regions people sometimes need to include things like their neighbor's plowed field in the watershed to keep the pond supplied with enough water to survive the drought periods. Therefore, some crappy trade offs sometimes must occur.[/quote]