jixxxer,

I have a little experience with algae in small ponds in the deep south...probably just enough experience to be dangerous.

First, let me say that for some reason which I don't entirely understand, algae thrives during long dry spells. If you get a good rain you will see it pretty much disappear. This is a dry year for most of us, and hence a bad year for algae.

Next, other than look terrible, messing up fishing and feeling like something you don't like, it really doesn't hurt the fish, as far as I can tell...nonetheless, most of us don't like it or want it around.

The stuff you see on the bottom will soon float to the top forming disgusting mats, which we really don't like.

The best chemical treatment I have found is Cutrin plus. It comes in both a granular and liquid form. Both work, with the liquid best for surface treatments and the granular for the bottom areas. Ihis time of year, be especially cautious, about using any chemical in your pond, especially a pond without aeration. A fish kill is only a spray too much or a handful of too much chemical away.

Organic methods have been disgussed herein such as barley straw and cottonseed meal. Do a search to find these treatments.

My personal control method of choice is to stock Tilapia as early in the spring as temps allow. Once they catch up with the algae and get ahead of it, they can completely control it. My experience with them has been tremendous, some others have not been as pleased with their algae eating ability but I have heard no one say they weren't good for their ponds. I have 4 ponds with Tilapia, not one of them has any visible algae and with this kind of dry year, they would normally be covered in thick mats of the stuff.

Its getting late in the season to try Tilapia, even if you could find any to stock...but consider them for next year. When the algae first appears in late Feb., spray it once and again if it re-appears. Then, when temps warm, stock a few pounds of Tilapia and say goodbye to algae until the following year.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.