Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Clear as Mud....

I have a 1/3 acre pond in Lumberton (SE Texas),which is an average of 8 feet deep, ranging from 4' shallow to 12' maximum depth. Little to no vegetation in pond, bermuda grass around edges; structure consists of 15 sunken concrete culverts. The pond has been full for about 6 months old, but it still has not cleared. It is stocked as follows: 100 hybrid bluegill (1-2" fingerlings), 100 redear (1-2" fingerlings), 30 bass (1-2" fingerlings), and 12 pounds of fatheads. I have no catfish and no livestock. There are five ducks (3 pekin, 2 mallard). Should I consider lime or gypsum? Any and all advice - on muddy water or otherwise - is welcome to this pond novice.

Update for anyone inclined to advise me:

In my first post, I forgot about the 100 copperhead bluegills (1-2" fingerlings) that were also stocked. So that was actually 300 bluegill/bream fingerlings instead of 200.

Since my first post, I have tested the water with an aquarium kit, which shows it to be about 7.5 PH.

Bryan, cant help ya with the fish and I am no expert on ponds. But I dont live far from you (Batson) and have been working on a similar problem with my pond and mud. You can search the back posts on muddy water and get alot of good info. To start get a glass jug (gallon) of pond water and let it set for a week or so. If it doesnt clear then add lime or gypsum. I used gypsum and started with 1/8 teaspoon and waited for it to clear. Then calculated how much to put in my pond. The next question will be how to apply it. More dicussions on this subject can be found here. Good luck and check back with your updates. JIM

Bryan; very few people are fans of the hybrids since they contribute nothing to the forage base, I think you are a little short on coppernose or plain bluegills but with 12 pounds of fatheads, your baby bass should have enough to eat.
You really need to check the alkilinity; not just the PH. Like Jim Courtney says, muddy water has been cussed and discussed at length.

Thanks for the responses. As time allows, I'm trying to read old posts to familiarize myself with similar problems. Like anyone, I guess I'm looking to be spoon-fed something specific for my exact situation by someone much more experienced. However, I'm realizing each situation is somewhat unique and "trial and error" is almost inevitable.

(1) I failed to mention that I tested a jug of the pond water about three months ago. It settled and cleared in about 3 weeks. However, the pond hasn't cleared after six months.

(2) If gypsum is the appropriate action, where do I buy it?

(3) How does alkalinity differ from PH? I thought the PH determined the acidity and/or alkaline environment. Whew! I knew I should've paid more attention in chemistry class.

Thanks!!

Bryan,
pH is a measure of free hydrogen ions, or how acidic or basic your water is.
Alkalinity is measure of carbonates or bicarbonates, your lake's ability to buffer against acid.
Buy gypsum through your local feed store or co-op. They will order it for you.
Where you are, gypsum works well to clear muddy water.
Have your water analyzed, then decide what to do. Your local county extension agent has a form to fill out, with a check for $20 to the Soil Sciences Lab at Texas A&M.

Bryan; According to Mr. Lusks book "Raising Trophy Bass" alkilinity is a reflection of whether fertilization will work. This is discussed elsewhere on the website but basically if your alkilinity isn't at least 20 parts per million, the fertilizer won't do any good. If your water is infertile, the microorganisms at the bottom of the food chain won't make it and if they don't do well, the 'bugs' that feed on them don't live and so on up the food chain until you get undernourished and stunted predators. Buy Lusks book; look at Chapter 4 and you will understand the balance you are seeking.
He puts it about as well as I've seen. Also, look at other stuff regarding this topic on the web site.

Bryan,
I have a 1.2 ac pond in SW Louisiana and expeienced the same thing you are now going through. I'm guessing that the pond filled quickly, before much vegetation grew on the bottom and sides. My pond filled within a weed after construction and was a problem clearing. Since you have already put fish in the pond I recommend against aluminum sulfate, incase anyone recommends it. You would probably lose your fish. The pond will clear up in time if you have the patience. As aquatic plants get established you will see the water clear. You can help this along by transplanting desirable plants around the shore and in the 3-4' depths. Do get the ph and alkylinity right and get ready to fertilize. My local fisheries biologist with the state wildlife and fisheries office, recommended winter and spring fertilization as soon as the ph and alk. are right. I am in the deep south and have a much longer and hotter summer to deal with for algae blooms. If you have any run off into your pond get yourself an aerator or fountain. You will need it to prevent fish kills in the near future. You may want to get in touch with your local Texas Parks and Wildlife freshwater fisheries biologist to give you very specific recommendations for your area. Good Luck!

I have a new pond in Mauriceville TX, it was muddy for 2 months then i started adding Gypsum. Every two weeks I checked it and added about 5 more bags. It took about a month, but now it looks like a blue lagoon. If I get heavy rain it cloudies up again, but eventually settles out. I have the same problem you have no vegetation and all the mud/silt empties into the pond. Try planting winter rye along the banks and Gypsum.

Greetings, T! We're practically neighbors. Where did you buy the gypsum?

Oops...I just read Lunker James' comments, so I better find out if you have any fish stocked yet. If so, what did you stock and how many? Any adverse results? How big is your pond? The lagoon look would really be great if I could achieve it. Being fellow Southeast Texans, I'm really interested in your successes or failures.

Most feed stores in our area carry gypsum. My pond was full of suspended clay I did the jar test and had an inch of mud in the bottom of the jar. It was about $5 dollars a bag for 50lbs.