Pond Clean Up!
myrrkwoodhaven
Posts: 2
Hi, I'm new here, we have a large pond that is somewhat shaped like a set of lungs, so two larger areas joined in the center by a narrow pass.
They are silt bottom and have a lot of string algae...they tops get a ton of floaters and growth on them. They are spring fed and have a drainage point to the east, though even with all our rain, the level rarely reaches the drainage point...this flows to a neighboring creek.
I am at a loss as to how to clear up these ponds so they don't look like a cesspool all summer...funds are very limited, everything I have goes into the gardens! The ponds are edged with cattails, there is little growing in them. They are maybe 7 feet deep at their deepest in the center. We have seen about 3 pike in there (from where, no idea), some frogs, turtles...but that's it.
Do we use plants? Fish? I'm almost ready to try to drain them, clean them out and refill...but they are at least 80 feet from one end to the other!
Posting some pics, from above for the shape and then the growth that is right now...
Please help!
Posts
We had a large pond at last house - also spring fed - which fed into a smaller one. Full of lots of 'stuff' including some of those ugly koi carp, large goldfish, trout, toads, frogs, insects, wildlife, algae, pondweed and lots of other assorted vegetation etc etc....
It all gone on fine together, without any 'help' from us. If I'd started clearing the blanketweed and algae with chemicals however, it wouldn't have looked anything like as interesting as it did. All year round
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
No - unfortunately not! It's the remains of the original castle that was there in ye olden days. Some daft chap from Essex bought it and spent years arguing with the planning dept because he wanted to turn it into a 'holiday home'. The access was through the neighbouring farm too - hope he enjoys dealing with him!
It was on that Restoration programme a few years ago. ( George Clarke ? ) It was a botched job too - I think planning eventually gave in and allowed him to do alterations, which were appalling. An entrance and staircase round the other side of it - which was painted and stood out like a sore thumb. All the locals hated it - but they were fairly diplomatic on the catch up show....
Another view - minus the outer staircase
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Well, thank you all. I should have said I am in Canada...and having moved from a 'city' where everything was to be just perfect to our little slice of heaven where nature abounds...I suppose it takes some time to get used to the switch. Our family (being herbalists and yogis) are completely chemical free, so treating the pond with chemicals isn't an option. I suppose I just wanted to see if I'm doing it right...I figured there should be some 'flow' or aeration as suggested on other sites...I don't want to suffocate wildlife with the overgrowth of the algae and would love to introduce some other fish, but the pike say no...
I thank you all for your wonderful and honest replies and for helping me to see it with 'new eyes'...I long for gardens and ponds like yours Fairygirl, thanks for sharing.
Blessed be.