Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Scuds and PK shrimp South Central KS?

I have an 19 acre watershed pond. It's basin is typically 10ft deep with shallow sloping banks. Coontail tends to grow out to about 8ft of water along the shoreline. Typically clear water.

Questions:
Would either scuds or PK shrimp be advisable?
Both?
Can they live in my location and environment?
Possible downfalls to either one?

I'd love to hear from someone familiar with my location and these critters!
Jason

I've found the cold-hardy PK shrimp to be extremely prolific in higher clarity, vegetated shallow areas. Macrophytes seem to be most important.
In our region they do just fine.

My pond is ~500 miles east of Snipe's place - just south of I-70 in the Middle of Misery.

PK shrimp have done very well in my pond.

As previously mentioned, having enough of the right vegetation is key.

My pond is still down ~3' due to the extended drought we've been in so there's not much shallow plant growth,
but I put a ton of cedar trees in while the pond was filling so there's dense cover from the north bank halfway
across the pond along a steep drop from 6'-16' (-ish when the thing is full) - lots of room for them to hide.

I stocked some scuds too but I don't ever see them. They either all got ate or they're hiding in the detritus on
the bottom of the pond. I haven't really gone looking for them lately so I can't be sure if I still have some.

My personal experience is that if they affect vegetation/growth, I should have been able to tell a difference in the 2 growouts that have about 50% vegetation coverage before stocking any 2 years ago but I see no difference in clarity or vegetation amount. I think it's because we are talking about a beneficial organism that is much lower in the food chain. There is likely a change but it may be so subtle it's not a large visual change. Just my experience..

Been working with PK Shrimp for 15 years and Kenny's summary above is spot on. I've yet to witness any negative impact either.

FishinRod, you've pegged the silt thing. LOTS of shallow vegetation in the upper end!

I'll gladly document what I do and the results (if there are any... chances might be pretty high that I release some things and then never see them again). As far as info from Snipe, I'll let him add what he feels is appropriate. I don't want to miss-speak or give out information he might be holding close.