David R.,
Welcome and Happy New Year to you!
If you have 3 foot water and sandy bottom I question that the addition of gravel is cost effective for increasing BG spawns.
The study I would like to read is the one that compares two relatively identical pond situations, one with sandy bottom and the other with gravel in the shallow areas. Measure BG recruitment and compare results. EWEST will know, if anyone does, if such a study exists.
My reasoning is based on experiences with such ponds in East Texas. This year, water levels have dropped exposing the BG beds. Honestly, I can not see any way that adding gravel could possibly increase the number of beds...its already wall to wall beds like a giant Hotel.
Unless you have a "free" supply of gravel...it now costs over $700 for a truck load in my area...I just don't see that it is cost effective.
Let's see the studies that prove I'm wrong. Perhaps Northern situations may be different but in East Texas, I just question that it is cost effective to add gravel over sandy bottoms.
