Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water How long for a new pond d to clear?

Had a new 5 acre pond constructed last summer. It is now about 1 to 1.5 ft from being full. As expected it is brown colored with sediment. Question is, how long before it starts to clear up? Can I start adding gypsum now or will it not be effective since is isn't full yet?
Thanks.

Do you have vegetation established all around the pond to prevent more dirt from being washed into the pond during a hard rain?

No there is no real established vegetation yet.
It is my neighbors pond and she is wanting to dump a bunch of sheetrock in it and I am not thinking that is a great idea. Wanted to get advice here first.

No on the sheetrock. While it seems like a good idea, there isn't enough surface area exposed to the water to help much. It's better if it is ground up and pulverized.

Posted this in the Soil forum above but thought it may get more answers here.

Had a new 5 acre pond constructed last summer. It is now about 1 to 1.5 ft from being full. As expected it is brown colored with sediment. Question is, how long before it starts to clear up? Can I start adding gypsum, alum or lime now or will it not be effective since is isn't full yet?
Thanks.

Have you had your water checked to see what it needs?

No sir. Is it too early to establish that yet if it isn't quite full?
Is there a grace period I should wait before I determine it needs help?

Where are you with vegetation/erosion measures??

To add to esshups comments, yer getting the cart ahead of the horse here.. Get the source of dirt flowing into the water fixed FIRST or this will be an on-going issue that will affect the pond for a LONG time to come.

To add another angle to Derek's question, the new lite-weight sheetrock that they use these days, is there any actual gypsum in it anymore? does anyone know, or has researched it? not being a smartass, was just curious about that. I'm not sure there is any, or very much, used in the manufacturing of sheetrock anymore..

Bretty bare around the lake from the dirt work. Guess I need to start there.

Bullseye.. get a cover crop/grass started and water if ya can to get it up quick n thick.

I'll go move that other thread over here, no need to get 2 answers to the same question,and it'll help clean up the forum.

dchance I am in the same boat as you are with a new pond about a year ago. As the others have said to you, first is solve the sediment run off in the pond. I posted the same questions in the past and everyone's advice to me was spot on. I planted some rye grass around the pond to get some vegetation. After the first rain, all the seed washed into the pond. I then threw out more seed and covered it with erosion material and in a matter of a week I had rye grass sprouting up everywhere. Since i did that a few months ago, my pond is just now starting to clear to about 10" visibility. I was going to put some alum in to speed up the process but one of the most important things I have learned on this is "patience". And that my friend is the hardest thing for me to do but I am now beginning to see the fruits of my labor. Good luck with the pond.

Well said Kevin.

How about some pics? Half full, almost full? I had major work done on a 2 acre pond last Aug and it was hot (low pH) and was kinda clear.

1/2 full pH hella off w some sediment but clear with little or no microbe growth.



Pond full, pH getting there and lots of microbe growth limiting the visibility. I believe I have suspended sediment as well and with help here I found out about Ag Gypsum as an amendment that I will apply to add Ca, attach to suspended sediment and drop to the bottom, it will also amend the pH a little. That info's down in pond water chemistry thread.


What's causing your visibility occlusion is the key.