Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization Fertilizer Runoff

I have a 2 acre pond and I am wondering how much the Fertilizer runoff from peoples yards affects the water. The pond gets a good algea bloom each year by about mid to late June. I have never purposely added fertilizer to the pond. The only fertilizer it gets is the runoff.

Also at one end of the pond there is a gutter from the street that leads to the pond. The lake gets runoff from the street as well as peoples yards. This opens the door for anything from soap, oil, fertilizers, insecticides, trash etc to be in the pond. It does not seem to affect the pond significantly because in the 25 years the pond has been around there has only been one fish kill. I know Aeration would have helped with this but some of the residents around the lake are very uneducated when it comes to pond management. We had a fountain aerator at one point but a lady complained and threatened to sew because she was afraid of electric shock (she is not the sharpest tool in the shed). Instead of causing a big scene we decided to just remove the aerator.

I have heard that 1 pound of phosphorous can create 500 lbs of algae. This is hearsay but if it's true, it really puts things into perspective. Also, hydrocarbons (oil, gas, etc.) can definately cause an algae bloom.

Brett - I think it is very doubtful that any type of aeration can suppress algae growth that is being directly stimulated from dissolved nutrients that occur in runoff from the watershed. I have never seen any research or proof that aeration can precipitate or bind disolved nutrients. I would like to read that info if it exists. If aeration has any ability to suppress algae growth it is from suppressing some of the phosphorus recycling from the anoxic sediments (without oxygen) that most often occur during stratified conditions. Reduce the nutrients in the watershed runoff and overall plant growth should be less in the pond. Aeration will help keep the pond in a healthier well oxygenated condition. Oxygen stimulates practically all the beneficial chemical natural reactions in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.