I have seen a large amount of algae growth this year already. Its coming up in mats. I rake it out, but seems like a lost cause. My pond is 3 acres and 3/4+ of the bank is cattail. One whole bank is nothing but cattails. The "dirt" bank is 2-3 feet back with cattails and old clumps of dead cattails as the "new" edge of the bank. I have been trying to burn off the majority of the tails, but seems like a lost cause because they grow back thicker. (they are so much fun to burn in the winter)
Does anyone think that the number of cattails I have in my pond is causing clarity to stay at its present stage? I have had the pond for 3 years now and the clarity has been the same for the whole time (very milky). Fish seem to thrive and plant life seem to do good also. I have done (sludge test) on it a numerous times (water in glass and letting it sit for a few hours, days wiith no change.) I think the pond is nutrient heavy because of the cattails. Any inputs?
I dont fertilize around the pond, so runoff is clean.

I guess what I am trying to say is that do you think the amount of cattails is supplying an excessive amount of nutrients to the pond to keep the clarity the way it is?

could be; you say that you have done a clarity test where you put water in the jar and it never settles? Sounds like you have a suspended clay particle problem what color is the water? The way to help that if thats what it is. Agricultural Limestone. How deep is your pond at the bank? I know that everything that goes into your water esp organics(plant matter) can cause excess nutrients so cutting down or burning any of that plant matter that ends up in the pond and stays will help the algae growth. Hope that helps some look up www.pondboss.com they have a forum directly dedicated to all your pond needs its great!

Yes I figured that burning will add excess amounts of nutrients, but it was already very milky before, so probably didnt hurt much. In some areas the bank depth is 3-4ft because of the cattails line the bank (like bulkheads). Other places the bank slopes down like a beach with grass on the adges from drought. I dont think it is clay particles. I think its very high in nutrients.

hmm thats interesting where abouts do you live how is the terrain what type of soil do you have.

The pond is in Trinity county between groveton and the city of trinity. Town is called Friday. On hand I do not know the soil type. Would have to dig it out of the files. Did send a soil sample off to A&M. Would have to dig that up also.

Cattails should be absorbing nutrients, not adding nutrients. Cattails have extensive root systems so getting rid of them can be difficult. Burning helps remove the upper parts but the roots remain below and they will return from that. Burning is better than letting them stay and decay in the pond. If they stay in the pond the nutrients that were locked in the plant will be released back into the water as the plants decay so burning the plant prevents that part of the cycle from occurring.
Early season algae growth is very common. In the early season most plants remain dormant and competition for nutrients is minimal. With the sunny days we've had lately conditions are good for algae growth. Water quality may have something to do with it as well. Have you ever tested your pH or Alkalinity?

Yes I have but have misplaced the results. Need to do it again. Will pick up kit this week.

yeah, its good to know. I would guess that you have low alkalinity and low pH. but I would test it before trying to add hydrated lime. If alkalinity is below 30 ppm/ or mg/l I would add 20 lbs of lime per surface acre. If you do that be sure to do it in installments so that the pH doesn't rise too quickly.
best of luck!

Fishindude 12,

Your soil/water tests were posted and discussed here:

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._sa#Post2226147

Your pond is way too acidic as we discussed.

Most East Texas soils are acidic...and require about 4 tons of ag. lime per acre every 5 years or so as we discussed here:

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...xas#Post2225843


Hydrated lime was recommended in this thread....but be very careful, very careful. It can change your ph too fast and kill all your fish if you happen to make a mistake...very unforgiving.

bottom line you need to increase your total alkalinity, Alkalinity can be described as your water's ability to absorb and neutralize acids. Low alkalinity means acids that come into your pond continually lower your pH. Adding hydrated lime can be safely done in you add 5-10 lbs at a time and you can also add it only over one half of the pond, then your fish can leave the treatment area if the pH rises too quickly. The lime will increase your alkalinity, once your alkalinity is stabilized your pH will self adjust and then you won't see the wide swings in pH. Ag lime can also be used it just takes alot of it and takes time to correct the water quality. I've done hydrated lime applications to hundreds of ponds and never had a single problem, but yes it can be bad if not done properly.
With a pH in the 5's your fish are already suffering from the poor water quality, I would want to see the water quality corrected as soon as possible.

3 min. explanation of water quality. Very brief, more to come later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjaaSsJs93w

thanks meadowlark. I completley forgot that I posted them on this site. Thanks for finding the post. Ok i am going to get serious on this matter now. I guess is I need to invest in in some chemicals. I will be very careful when applying.

that serious huh? Well thats the answer i wanted to hear. Its hard for me to read in between the lines of what, when, how needs to be done, but you gave me a straight up answer and I am going to go from there.Thanks a million. I will post when I start this process and post more info as I go through the process. Thanks eric

Thanks for your help meadowlark and GAC you guys are awesome. I tried to give help as best I could but I am still learning myself. Arent we all though, you know what they say learn something new everyday. Again thanks for your knowledge.

Fishwrangler, You are exactly right, we ARE all still learning, and if we're not then we're simply not paying attention or we're too stubborn to admit we don't know it all.
Best of luck guys