Farm Pond Restoration Project

Introduction:

In order to better understand the systemic make-up of a pond, I would like to gather the thoughts from several sources in a systematic approach to solving pond problems. As mentioned earlier in an article entitled Tragedy Hits Pine Ridge Farm We had a major summer fish kill last year. Therefore it seems appropriate to publish this analysis edition of the farm pond report. I will be using the words system, systematic, and systemic quite often in this discussion because a farm pond is in fact a very complex system. Its makeup is a delicate balance of several attributes. Therefore, issues need to be analyzed in a systematic approach.

Problem Definitions:

If your pond is not providing you with the benefits you're looking for, you must first identify the problem. Only after you have a clear understanding of the problem, can you begin to develop a corrective strategy. There are several common problems seen in farm ponds, which include Floating Green Blankets, Excessive Under Water Plant Growth, Excessive Shoreline Plant Growth, Mucky Bottom, Odor, and ultimately Lethargic or Dying Fish.

Floating Green Blankets:

This green blankets are made up of two basic categories of plants. The first is Filamentous Algae often referred to as Pond Scum. The second is Duckweed and/or Watermeal. Floating plants do not have any root structure that is attached to the bottom, but gain their nutrients directly from the water. They tend to like stagnant water at higher temperatures (>60F). Since they get their nourishment from the water, they will generally grow in ponds that have high levels of nitrogen. This is very common in Farm Ponds, due to the proximity to heavily fertilized farm fields. Please do not confuse Filamentous Algae with Green Plantonic Algae. This Plantonic Algae is suspended in the water, and is responsible for much needed oxygen production.

Excessive Under Water Plant Growth:

Under water plants will likely grow in any pond. These plants range in style and variety, from small plants that only survive in the very shallow water, to those who bloom into large underwater bushes or shrubs. Plants can be advantageous because they do help to oxygenate the water. However, these same plants can easily over run a small pond and completely choke it out.

Excessive Shoreline Plant Growth

Plants along the shoreline are often very attractive and may be desirable depending on your pond's function. Plants will find it very comfortable to live there, because they get plenty of water that is high in nutrients from the excessive levels of Nitrogen. Often if there are any trees in the area, they will take root on the shoreline. This is especially true of willow trees, which love water. My neighbor had a willow on his pond that went unchecked for several years. When he cut it down last summer, it measured about 7.5 feet in diameter.

Mucky Bottom and Odor

The mucky bottom found on many small ponds is made up of decaying organic material. This decomposition process absorbs oxygen. Once the area near the bottom is void of oxygen, the decomposing stops. The muck is the result of the organic material entering into the pond at a greater rate than it can fully decompose. Odor is often experienced is a product of this decaying organic. The decomposition process produces gas that may emit a sulfur or rotting egg smell

Lethargic or Dying Fish:

The most common cause for fish being lethargic or dying is the lack of oxygen in the pond. This will plague the larger fish more than the smaller ones, simply because larger fish require higher oxygen levels in the water. Low levels of oxygen will cause the fish to become extremely stressed. Once the fish have been stressed, even the introduction of oxygen may not be able to save them.

The Farm Pond System

As mentioned earlier, the farm pond is a system. Each of the problems above is the result of the system being out of balance. For example, in a drought the water replenishment may be very low and the Filamentous Algae will bloom creating a rich green blanket over the pond. The green blanket will prevent light from entering the pond, restricting the oxygen production of the Plantonic Algae and rooted plants. This reduction in oxygen slows the organic material decay, leading to a mucky bottom and sulfur smell. The decomposition process completely absorbs the oxygen near the bottom of the pond, forcing the fish to rise to the surface to seek oxygen. The increased water temperature in conjunction with the lack of oxygen leads to the fish being lethargic and ultimately they will die.