pond care and treatment - Ask Extension
I have a property that I just purchased and it has about a 1/4 acre size pond with a bridge and small island in the middle! I need some advice on up ...
Knowledgebase
pond care and treatment #871561
Asked June 04, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT
I have a property that I just purchased and it has about a 1/4 acre size pond with a bridge and small island in the middle! I need some advice on up keep as to treatment and who I can do to for treatment as the pond weed life and grass is trying to take over. The pond has fish and frogs and turtles that make it their home and looking for some way to keep the weed and algae under control that will also be safe for my dogs that swim in the pond and for Kayaking!
Ingham County Michigan
Expert Response
Stephanie,
Thank you for using Michigan State University Extension Ask Extension with your pond question. Congratulations on your new home. Having a home with a pond is quite exciting but also puts us in a position of stewardship of that environment.
Your pond water looks quite clear as I can see the Chara (algae) at the bottom. If the fish and frogs are healthy then your pond is healthy. It also appears quite balanced right now.
Grass is growing in areas where the water levels will drop and dry up some in that area. I would not worry too much about that area, think of it as the flood plane area for your pond. Keeping vegetation is crutial for the healt of the pond, food and shelter for insects, small animals and fish. If you have bluegill be sure to fish the pond regularly to keep populations balanced.
I would suggest some pond dye to shade out some of the algae and to keep the water cooler for the fish. Copper is the recommended chemical to treat this algae but it accumulates in the water and distupts the delicate balance of the pond ecosystem. You can manually rake it out or shade it with a tarp held in place with stakes. Be sure to remove the dead and decomposting matter to reduce excess nutrients in the water.
I have attached some resources to help you make decisions as you manage your new pond. The Q & A has a long list or more resources in it.
Here is a pdf for plant ID -the plants present dictates how to approach your management.
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/APM/APM_3_W.pdf
Here is a link about Chara - what I think I see in your photos
https://extension.psu.edu/chara-and-nitella
Thank you for using Michigan State University Extension Ask Extension with your pond question. Congratulations on your new home. Having a home with a pond is quite exciting but also puts us in a position of stewardship of that environment.
Your pond water looks quite clear as I can see the Chara (algae) at the bottom. If the fish and frogs are healthy then your pond is healthy. It also appears quite balanced right now.
Grass is growing in areas where the water levels will drop and dry up some in that area. I would not worry too much about that area, think of it as the flood plane area for your pond. Keeping vegetation is crutial for the healt of the pond, food and shelter for insects, small animals and fish. If you have bluegill be sure to fish the pond regularly to keep populations balanced.
I would suggest some pond dye to shade out some of the algae and to keep the water cooler for the fish. Copper is the recommended chemical to treat this algae but it accumulates in the water and distupts the delicate balance of the pond ecosystem. You can manually rake it out or shade it with a tarp held in place with stakes. Be sure to remove the dead and decomposting matter to reduce excess nutrients in the water.
I have attached some resources to help you make decisions as you manage your new pond. The Q & A has a long list or more resources in it.
Here is a pdf for plant ID -the plants present dictates how to approach your management.
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/APM/APM_3_W.pdf
Here is a link about Chara - what I think I see in your photos
https://extension.psu.edu/chara-and-nitella
How do I get a state permit for grass carp
Sorry Stephanie,
No permits here. Grass carp are banned in Michigan. They are a non-native invasive species.
No permits here. Grass carp are banned in Michigan. They are a non-native invasive species.
