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Pond problem

PotterAngiePotterAngie Posts: 17
in Problem solving
we have a large garden pond approx 5 metres by 20 metres. We made this over 30 years ago and have had fish, newts, frogs and a variety of other pond life over the years. It has gradually become silted up with quite a lot of sludge, being such a large area it has been difficult to keep clear of leaves and other debris. Over the last few years we have had increasing problems with duckweed and blanket weed. There are still fish and other creatures surviving but we feel we need to clear it the sludge and make one end of pond deeper it was originally about a metre deep going to 1/2 metre at one end. Any ideas on how to go about doing this and best time of year. We have water lilies and oxygenating plants.

Posts

  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    Have you considered professional help? There are a few dangers. The reason for the duckweed and the blanket weed is Eutrophication. Unfortunately disturbing the sediment may release even more nutrients. All things considered, the usual window for such work is the Autumn.

    How was the pond constructed?
  • PotterAngiePotterAngie Posts: 17
    It was lined with butyl. I would love to get professional help but being a pensioner unfortunately its not financially possible.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    That's a big ol'pond!
    If you're careful, just tackle a bit now and then. Maybe wait a few weeks to let things hatch etc, then just clear a little at time.
    If you can get more plants in and around the edge of your pond they will help use the nutrients and starve the blanket weed and duck weed.
    If you have a hose to hand, you can use a jet of water to push the duck weed into one place then net it out and leave it on the side to let any beasties escape.
    Good luck

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • jamesholtjamesholt Posts: 593
    Here is what I would do.  Hopefully someone with more experience has a better plan.   Remove the plants and animals you want to keep and place them in a large container.  Pump out the old water and remove the silt.  Refill it and put your plants and animals back.  
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