Built A Pond, Need advice

[sheeplady]

We just had a pond dug about 4 weeks ago. Because of the clay deposits and shale beneath, only were able to go 6 foot deep in center, but its about 50 feet by 100 feet. Not huge but its for a water source for my sheep and for my geese and ducks.Amazingly its already full from just two small springs seeping into it. The water is very murky at present and I guess it will be for awhile. What can I do to clear it up. Does using barley straw help. When can I try to put any aquatic plants and fish in? Can I stock fish in a pond that shallow? We are in New York State, near Albany. Surprisingly there are already many frogs in it.Any good sites for more information?

[rzrubek]

Well, you'll want to find a way to aerate it. That will help the fish and with freezing in the winter. Other than that i don't know much else about p0nds.

[ckncrazy]

I have a 5 acre pond that is only about 4 feet deep. I have bullhead, shad and sunfish. I dont areate and have very minimal fish kill during the winter. Usually only have winter kill when we have a very cold winter. I live near Syracuse, and our weather is usually colder than Albany. I dont think you will have any problems.

[EasyDay]

Here's my limited knowledge:

I've used barley straw in a koi pond and it works very well for clearing up the water.

Plants can go in anytime. Some types aerate better than others, so do some research. Some are also very invasive, so again, research.

I've known people to stock ponds Spring through fall, but based on your location, I'd say spring to give the little 'uns a head start before winter sets in. I don't know this for sure, but it just seems logical.

I don't know how fast your streams move, but they are aerating, too. You may not need another aeration source. You may need to add a little fountain in the middle, or something.

[mulliganbush]

Your local Agriculture agent, or the Fish and Wildlife Services, whatever the organizations are called in your state, can often be very helpful. TWRA helped us tremendously with the evaluation of stocking, suppliers, and management practices--but that was to establish fishing habitat. (Plants are food, not friends.)

You might also go to gardenweb.com and check out the ponds forum. Some of those people are VERY intense, but you can get some good information, especially for a more general type pond, which seems to be what you're looking for.

Ray

[kickford]

If you have geese, forget about any aquatic plants. I had a nice farm pond with lwater .ilies and other aquatic plants. It looked great. Then I decided to get some geese. Within one season they had eaten every plant in the pond. Also if you get young fish for the pond the geese will likely eat them also. Just passing on a bit of knowlege learnt the hard way

[SteveD(TX)]

Check out this site:

www.pondboss.com

[Maura]

You don't need to aerate the pond. I'll bet the reason it is murky is from mud/dirt, not algae. Ducks and geese are going to help keep it that way. Don't worry about algae growth. That is what those little tadpoles are easting. Next year in the spring, you will get a large algae growth, but it will balance itself.

It is too soon to bring in water lillies, but you might try cattails along the edge and see how they do, also blue flag iris. The birds are fertilizing the pond and next year you will be able to add a little seaweed. It would be best to fence off the birds from any area you want plants to grow. This year, I'd put in minnows. Next year, I'd add the bigger fish.

Four feet may not be deep enough for fish to overwinter. Ask your extension office. If it is too shallow, you can place a light over a spot in the pond to keep a hole in the pond, or use a trough de-icer.