Dave,

Thanks for the response.

There is a large irrigation ditch out of Lake Diversion that then feeds many ponds here in the Wichita Falls area. Lake Diversion is "infested" with G. algae the same as PK and thus most of the ponds that get water from it have the same problem. The state fish hatchery at Dundee utilizes the waters of L. Diversion and have maintained a fish population by utilizing a very expensive and work intensive program with Ammonium sulfate to treat their ponds - not a realistic possibility for us normal pond owners. Many ponds in this area that are spring fed or fed by natuaral drainage have stayed clear of G. algae.

You are right - it is not about the fish and is definitely about the pond (or lake), but thus far noone seems to have a handle at all on the problem and once the pond (or lake) has the problem, there is no documented solution to it. I wish I could "take care of my pond so the fish would be fine" but thus far the reseach supports no realistic options for one to do so once G. algae becomes a problem. I posted the barley straw treatment as more than likely a coincidence and not as a realistic solution, but to hear comments and thoughts from others trying to combat the problem. (And also I told Bob L. last fall in this forum that I would post any results that came from it.)

I appreciate the comments and hopefully Bowie and Amon Carter will stay clear.