Managing Water Clarity
Managing water clarity in ponds and lakes
When soil particles are held in solution in pond water it is called turbidity. This should be dealt with before ever fertilizing a pond. Dirty water can be a problem for almost every area of pond and lake management. It can neutralize some aquatic herbicides, neutralize the effects of fertilization for algae bloom, and irritate fish, resulting in poor weight gain. Muddy turbid water should not be confused with the lower level of clarity caused by proper algae bloom.
Flocking:
Flocking is the process of applying a mineral to the water that will collect the soil particles, and sink them to the bottom.
The most common mineral used is alum, but others such as gypsum may be more appropriate in many cases. As I said earlier, the source of the turbidity should be addressed adding or increasing vegetation, and vegetative barriers if needed.
The amount of alum or gypsum you will need will be determined by the severity of the problem, and the volume of water in the pond.
Once this and the pH are correct, you can begin to fertilize the pond.
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Tags: alum, flocking, gypsum, Lake management, pH, water larity
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