Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations pond turn over?

I have pond (1.75 acres, 12' deep at the dam end) that was built 13 years ago and has been great fishing for many of those years. It is usually clear with a visibility of at least 2-3 feet. This year something has happened. The visibility is about 6" and has been that way since the last heavy run-off (about 5 weeks ago). It should have cleared up by now. I do not see any action on the surface. I haven't seen any beds from the spawn. I can't buy a bite from a bass or catfish---even the Bluegill bite is extremely slow. I used to have to hide behind a tree to bait my hook. Could it be that the pond has 'turned over'? I have never seen it do this before in the 13 years since I had it built. thanks

sounds like an algae bloom, mine is doing the same thing right now...my pond is in central'ish Texas...no bite here either..

Neither of mine have cleared yet. Fishing sucks unless I use live bait when feeding.

I'm glad this recurring question has arisen again.
About 3 weeks ago, our water had a distinctive "pondy" smell to it. It wasn't disgusting, but if you brought in somebody blindfolded and asked them where they were, they would know. A couple weeks later, the aroma mostly subsided.
This all occurred after a good dose of rain, so that may be a player...or not.
Does a pond with an algae bloom exude a "pondy" aroma?

Oh sure Brettski, blame the algae. Are you saying your fish don't stink Brettski?

nothing like a GSF locker room

Thanks for the feedback. I'm NOT happy to say 'glad my pond isn't the only pond doing this'. I know that a bad smell comes with a 'turn over'. My pond hasn't had a bad smell at all. It is only 100 yrds from my house and I am always doing something around it. Does anyone know if the algae bloom will affect the spawn? Mid April-mid May is usually the time the spawn happens at my place.

There are far more experienced people here than me, but its my understanding that an algae bloom is beneficial and is actually a sign of a healthy ecosystem...I saw a few huge bass spawning this past weekend.

I don't know if "turn-over" is the correct term. Turn over that happens up here in the Fall when the upper water cools down to 39°F. That water sinks to the bottom, and becomes the warmest water in the pond. The water that is colder than that is less dense, and rises.

The same thing happens in the Spring, when the water warms up after ice-out. Once the surface water warms up to 39°F, it sinks as well, mixing with the water on the bottom of the lake. As the surface water warms up past 39°F, it stays on top. That's why you aerate from the bottom during the summer, you are bringing the denser, cooler water up.

which I believe is the pondy locker room odor source...

Probably. Not getting any fresh air for 6 mos. would do the trick!

William, is you visibility actually measured, or is this from eyeballing it. 6 inch visibility, if it is an algae bloom is at a very dangerous stage. Is it more stained, muddy, or pea soup green? Did the rain runoff come from disturbed or bare soil; or possibly from agricultural terrain. This info will help in the diagnosis. Measure the vis. by dropping down a white coffee cup on a string and measure the depth that it disappears.

JHAP and Brettski, share the pointy hat while in the corner, please.

here is a good article
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-causes-pond-algae-and-how-to-control-it.html

We don't have to share. I'm forced to wear it so much that I bought my own personal pointy hat.

It's even monogrammed.

"O pointy birds, pointy pointy.
Anoint my head, anointy-nointy."

Anyone?

That is a Steve Martin quote from the movie "A Man With Two Brains". It is a good movie.