An update, the (relatively) short version. Spring 2020 - excavator took out all trees and used material from bottom of pond to fill in stump holes. Maybe 6" of water in the bottom. Found a seam of rock/sand on west side of pond that extended down at least half way to the bottom. June 19,2020 - 5+" rain, water going over spillway, pond about 10' deep, then started losing 4 inches a day. July 10,2020 - put in 1/4 unit of SoilFloc (throwing from the bank) when pond was down to 5' deep and about 2000 square feet, and then was losing about 1/2" a day with some small rains that kept it about 5' deep. July 27,2020 - 3.70" rain that mostly filled it back up to about 8' deep (7" from top of my measuring post), and put in another 1/4 unit with about 9000 square feet surface area. July 28, 2020 - another 0.75" rain. August 1, 2020 - 8" from top of measuring post. August 16, 2020 - 1/2 unit with pond level 18" from top of measuring post - drop of 10" in 2 weeks. August 17, 2020 - 0.60" rain, the ONLY rain we had in August. August 30,2020 - 22" from top of measuring post - drop of 4" in 2 weeks.
The watershed is all hayfield/pasture, about 15 acres worth, with pasture all at least 200 yards away. There is a catch pond that overflows into the main pond only with major rain events, and only a couple of acres that drain directly into the pond. Historically, pond would be dry or with 6" or less depth several months each year. Pond is a triangle, with sides about the same slope as the dam. When tested this summer, pH of 7.0, and nitrites, ammonia, and phosphates were all ZERO. Visibility maybe 18-24". Added a few dozen bait shop minnows on June 30, but haven't YET gotten a minnow trap to see how they are doing.
Will be monitoring until next spring. Pond is currently about 4' below spillway, so may get another unit of SoilFloc to apply in Spring. Would like to see the water level about 2' higher than it is now and am concerned about sand/rock seam on west side. IF water level is maintaining, then will need to start with fish. Am considering minnows, yellow perch, and small mouth bass.
