Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Gravel Pit Lake - Aeration ?

Tentative Comments.
Until the small lake is filled comments are generalizations based on a new water gravel pit lake.

No surface runoff and mostly ground water intrusion the nutrient concentration in the water column should be low with a low nitrogen to phosphorus ratio generally indicating a low density, good quality phytoplankton community. This will feed or produce a good zooplankton community. Both a good basis of the food chain.
Low phytoplankton density and lack of surface water runoff will heavily contribute to clear water conditions. Secchi disk measurements will strongly influence the water depth at where phytoplankton and submerged vegetation will be able to grow and produce dissolved oxygen aka DO.

The initial DO test results of 9 mg/L back in 2024 are normal for early summer for your type of lake. In the future if the lake does not develop low secchi disk measurements around 2 ft or less and large surface algae films do not develop, at this point you should not need artificial aeration in this lake/pond. Get me some Secchi measurements and I will elaborate more on this topic.

Moderately steep shorelines will grow submerged vegetation and Secchi depths will determine how deep these plants will grow on the bottom. You should determine somehow what specific type of plants are now and will be growing in this lake especially the "reeds". Reeds this time of year (Fall) should be producing seed heads that are important in identification of reeds. Get some pictures and we can identify them. Nature will introduce some early invader species of water plants. Some of the first ones will probably be cattails and Chara. Winds and Waterfowl will deposit other seeds from their manure deposits.

Bottom dewatered vegetation growth I think will be primarily terrestrial plants that will when under water, they will die and contribute to the nutrient load in the pond. Accumulated nutrients will mostly determine the overall lake productivity.

It would be good to at least have an alkalinity measurement. Pet shop test kit would give a good idea of the concentration. I would never add lime to a lake/pond this big as it even in with low alkalinity will produce plenty of fish standing crop for most users. Alkalinity and basic nutrient tests will give a good indication of the fish poundage production ability in 13-14 acres.

This is enough until I get more water quality information.