First some background info-In the Spring our clay pond developed a leak through the dam and dropped several feet. My husband and I worked all summer sealing the leak and the water level is coming back up. We have natural springs that feed the pond. In the meantime there has been a moderate drought this summer in the Northeast. Previously the water in the pond was pretty clear but now it’s coming back with an orange color to the water. We’ve been aerating the pond and adding beneficial bacteria but the water looks terrible. Could it be iron in the water? Any thoughts on how to clear?

See if it is clay. Capture a large jar or glass of pond water, setup another glass or jar with three coffee filters in the top. Use a rubber band or hold the coffee filters and pour your pond water into it. You will capture what is in your water and after the filters dry out you can see. Clay can be a problem because clay particles become ion charged to perma float in the water column. However, if the source of clay seeping into the pond has been fixed you can use some alum to flocculate (cause particles to form into clumps and settle on bottom). Be sure your source of soil in the water is fixed first.

Orange in the water is often iron and or the byproduct of iron eating bacteria.