Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water How long does it last (treatment) ?

The reason you perform two jar tests one covered one uncovered is to determine the degree of planktonic algae that may be causing turbidity. If your turbidity was caused by algae the dark jar would clear and the other jar would remain turbid. From these tests it's evident it's not algae, rather suspending clay particulate, causing your turbidity.

It appears the turbidity is improving as there's some accumulation on the bottom of the jar. Keep them sitting and continue monitoring. If it takes weeks to settle it doesn't mean you can't jump start the process with an amendment [Alum, gypsum, hay bales], but does demonstrate that given time the pond will settle naturally - allowing you options to consider moving forward.

Establishing emergent and submerged vegetation, shoreline stabilization with limestone, riprap or emergent vegetation [rushes, sedges, iris, arrowhead, etc.] and slowing down/clarifying the watershed runoff prior to entering pond are all positive steps towards filtering clay particulate from the pond and reducing turbidity.