My pond was mucked out last fall and filled this early summer. Prior to mucking out, it was always muddy I believe due to a high population of crawdads. Now, when it is remotely clear it has a light tea color. I suspect it is from the 3 medium sized Osage Orange root wads that I put in for structure. These root wads had from October last year to June this year to dry out before the water level covered them. The Secchi depth is at 24" at it's clearest, the FHMs have been very happily multiplying all summer, all other inhabitants are doing well (frogs, waterbugs, snakes, etc). There was minimal amounts of leaves present when the pond filled and my 20 acre watershed keeps the pond refreshed and overflowing with the multiple 3 plus inch rains we have had this year, but the tea color seems to remain constant once the muddiness settles which takes about a day to two after a heavy rain.
Do you think tannins from the root wads are to blame and, if so, how long before the wads tannin-out and the water starts looking normal?
Looks like my water..... from what I hear it will stay that way. I have a lot of woods up stream from my pond so the tannins from the woods/ leaves will always be there
Good thoughts folks, I didn't think about the watershed woods. I have about 3 acres of mostly walnut and hickory right above the pond, otherwise the remaining 17 acres is grazing pasture. I do kinda like the color, a natural dye I guess. I was surprised to find the secchi depth to be 24". I made the disk last weekend and would have never guessed that the visibility was that good. The tea color and muddy bottom can be deceiving.
I have not expanded my hobby to that point yet. I should do something regarding water and soil test this year, but I have not bought any test kits to date. The pond was tested by the conservation dept prior to de-mucking and I remember the pH to be basic, but still within good range for farm animal use (it not longer sees any farm anmal use). I assumed the test results would fluctuate as the pond settled in from being dug out and I have not been too concerned, but it's about time to get a hold on it as I will be stocking fish next year.
