Thanks again for your in-depth answers to my questions on our 15 acre pond/lake. You had a couple follow-up questions for me.
1) Have we talked to a pond management person? We have, but he wants to charge $1,750 for a general walk-around assessment. We didn't think we would get a ton of benefit from that but I'm willing to hear your thoughts on a review like that. He also gave us a sample report from another unnamed lake that went into great detail, but the cost was $13,500 and that seemed a bit steep. It would provide all of the data that you guys have been talking about, however. We didn't use an expert when our bass and bluegills were delivered. That was more of a "grassroots" endeavor!
2) How old is the pond? The pond has been here for decades. It's a seepage pond that seems to vary from 8 to 17 acres according to old Google Map photos. One person who lives a couple miles away told me that 20 years ago, it was dry. Our Google Map research didn't go back that far to see if that was accurate. The six new houses on the lake are 1-3 years old. When all the lots are sold, there will be 12 houses around the lake
3) How deep is the muck? I'd say pretty deep. When I put in the dock, I'd say it was calf deep in a lot of spots. The lake still has a lot of vegetation around the lake
4) Water clarity at different times? I think the clarity is pretty good. Most of the time when I kayak, I can see the bottom at 6'. The water is still pretty clear now, but the weeds have really grown in this year.
Here is what I've taken away from all of your responses: 1) I need to subscribe to Pond Boss magazine (done, for two years!). Like Theo mentioned above, there are past articles that will help me that I need to order 2) We need to test the pH levels. We've ordered some pH testing kits. 3) Test our DO levels ASAP before the lake turns over. Are there simple ways to do that? Do you guys use at homes DO testing kits? If so, which ones?
Thanks again to everyone
