Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Restoring a pond after a hurricane

I have a 1 acre pond that's 400ft away from a salt water tidal lake. I had some blue gill and catfish in the pond. Hurricane Rita brought 15ft tidal surge to my area. Now my pond is full of salt water and unknown kind of fish in the pond. What do you suggest I do? Pumpout the water and refill and restock? How about timing? Should I wait for a year or two before restocking? I don't want to pay a lot of money to buy fish that will wind up dead.

One possibility would be HSB. They tolerate salinity almost up to oceanic levels (35ppt).

Both BG and LMB also tolerate salt/brackish water well to a point. Both are found in the marshes and for example Lake Pontchartrain. We need to get PaPond or a chemist on here to address how much and how to deal with salt residue in the dirt once the pond is empty. Assuming you want fresh water fish in the pond then I would pump out the pond if you can but not on to your grass or trees as it may kill them and ruin the soil.

CajunRider,

If it's 400 feet away from a salt water lake, then this probably isn't the first nor last time this has/will happen. What are your objectives for the pond? If it's to continue with a BG and catfish pond, then it seems to me you said it right, pump it out and refill and restock. I would start the restocking with some "Canaries" first, i.e. just put a few, very few of each species you desire to see how they fare in the refilled pond. If they do fine, then proceed with the full up stocking program, if not then re-evaluate. Seems to me that the sooner the better as far as starting that process. Don't leave the saltwater in the pond for extended duration.