Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
I suggest you allow the jar test to proceed for a few more days to see if the brown is caused by ultra small particles that settle extremely slowly. Also we have to consider a build up of tannin or stain (typically brown) from build up of organics that leach brown tannins into the pond. Some ponds & and lakes have perpetually various shades of light to dark brown from various amounts of tannins depending on the type & amount of deposited of organics.
As an algae expert, I know it is very possible to have an algae bloom any day of the year - even under the ice, certain species of cold water adapted algae can form blooms. Often the blooms under ice are not noticed and do not cause problems - depending on the bloom species.

Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
Surface - subsurface laying of colors you describe where you can see it swirling is definitely some sort of an algae bloom. Late season early winter blooms are often temporary and rarely harmful.


Without having seen it, Bill perfectly described our tannin heavy big pond. We're having the same brown bloom right now, and historically our blooms are temperature sensitive. We'll have another algae bloom in middle to late January, and then another around the middle of march. Often, by the time tilapia are stocked, there is little to no algae in the pond.

Once our overnight water temps hit a sustained temp in the low 60's, the aquatics start growing and our algae and algae blooms are light to nonexistent until the water temp drops back down in the fall.

Last edited by FireIsHot; 12/27/16 07:59 AM.

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