Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Muddy Water Caused by Wind?

My small 1/3 acre trout pond is doing well and we have many various sizes of rainbows thriving on our pellet feed. A recent problem has come up though. The pond is located near the middle of a wind-swept meadow that gets heavy wind sometimes upwards of 20 mph every day and is pounding the water into our clay banks. This has become a year round problem, and I assume is responsible for the muddy water problem. The visibility is less than 3 inches, and the trout have a hard time finding any food (or lure) other than the pellets we feed. I have done some searches and brainstormed a few possible solutions. The most expensive solution is too just layer the rim of the pond's water edge with some type of rock to stop the water from hitting the clay. However, because the water level fluctuates a lot during the year the rock would need to be layed up to 5 feet down into the water, and that much rock is expensive. The second solution I have read of is the use of burlap to stake around the water's edge in the same way the rock was layed. This may be cheaper, and I think efficient, but the burlap may have a short life span.

Suggestions? Any one else have a similar problem with high winds hitting the bank causing muddy water? All input is welcome and greatly appreciated.

- Jighead

Jig,

Thinking along the lines of burlap, would some type of landscape fabric work?

It would be nice if there were an aquatic plant that could be used which would spread itself around to cover the shore, complete with the veritcal variation in water level, without being too invasive. Anybody know a good candidate species?

Russ,
That is a very interesting thought. Are you thinking something along the lines of an artificial turf? That may be a good solution. I am going to check more into that. Thanks for the suggestion.

Theo,
It would be nice if such a plant existed for my pond. The pond is located over 7000 feet in elevation and would have to survive freezing cold temps in the winter, and dropping water levels in the summer. Not to mention the herds of elk that come in to get a drink almost daily. Are you thinking of a water plant that could actually live completely submerged in the water? Or of a type of grass to line the edge completely? I hadnt thought of a plant, thank you for the suggestion.


- Jighead