Canadian Pond Newsletter July 2005 Issue: 7 Vol: 1
December 2004 Newsletter | January 2005 Newsletter | February 2005 | March 2005 | April 2005 | June 2005 | July 2005 | August 2005 | September 2005 | December 2005


SUMMERTIME AT THE POND!
THE HEAT, THE HOLIDAYS AND SOMETIMES...
TROUBLED WATERS
There is nothing more dis-heartening than to have your cooler packed and swimming trunks ready for a day at the pond only to find that you have the mother of all algae blooms taking over your prized pond like a scene out of War of the Worlds! Algae forms when there are too many nutrients in the water. Fish and bird feces, fish food, grass clippings, agricultural and animal waste and fertilizers from lawn application or flowering shrubs all flow into the pond and accumulate in the water column.

In shallow ponds the water heats up and algae starts to grow. When algae are deprived of nutrients they will die by starvation. If already established, a short turn around is unlikely. We added bacteria to remove the nutrients in the pond that were feeding the algae. On sunny days algae will float to the surface and reproduce. Algae loves shallow warm water which is low in oxygen. When sunlight can reach the bottom of a pond it will greatly increase the risks of algae growth!


Do you add any fertilizers to your lawns or plants?
One gram of fertilizer in the water can create 11kg of algae...it is very bad for ponds. If your pond has no aquatic vegetation to help filter nutrients and remove unwanted food for algae then you might be in for a nasty surprise!. Fountains tend to heat up the water because they throw water into the air and on sunny days the water gets warmer as it flies through the air.

Aquatic plants will definitely help the quality of your pond. If you look to natural ponds you see the cleanest ones have well established plant growth which help to cool the water and aerate naturally. The main reason to keep a shoreline vegetated is to filter surface run-off and to keep edges cool and protected. Bacteria is a natural way to help restore a pond to a healthy balance. Natural bacteria to fight the nutrients that cause algae can be very effective when combined with aeration but if algae suddenly seem to bloom when adding bacteria it is just a coincidence. Heavy rain and surface run-off loaded with nutrients will make the bloom happen. Algea has a quick reaction when the conditions are right; light reaches the bottom (wherever the water is less than 4’ deep), nutrients (natural from soil run-off or from fertilizer or from a nearby lawn) are available and unused.

When the temperature is warmer than usual (often at this time of year we break temperature records and heat waves are common) any type of algae will thrive if the conditions for their growth are present. Chemical treatments would kill the algae but will also accumulate in the water body. You could add an algaecide to your pond and the chemicals would kill the algae. The algae would die and sink to the bottom and decompose and the water would heat up and more algae would grow and you would add more poison and the cycle would continue. Decomposing algae is food for more algae. Fish are also adversely affected by heat. At 27 degrees celcius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) trout will start to die. Keeping plants to cool the water and an aerator will help keep temperatures low but heatwaves can still have devestating results!

Do you have freshly planted shrubs, bushes or grass? Many landscapers would not plant these without a lot of fertilizer because they don’t want a legal battle. All sod (tourbe) is fertilized enough to warrant its growth in the worst conditions for a few months. Every times it rains, it releases nutrients. If you have a decorative stone edge like in these pictures it is simply a heater for the water; more heat, less oxygen available. It is a vicious cycle.

In one study using liquid bacteria to control algae it was reported: "During the early periods of the trial, it was found that the levels of filamentous algae floating on the surface varied considerably from week to week. One week it would cover half the dam, and the next, it would only be in small clumps on the sides. After a few weeks of observation, it was established that climatic conditions had a profound effect. Not only did the sunny days produce much more plant growth, but the prevailing wind concentrated the filamentous algae in one corner of the dam." This was a 4 and one half month study using weekly doses of liquid beneficial bacteria. In the end the results were spectacular but there is no quick solution.

A permanent and long-term solution is to create conditions so the water stays clear and clean for fish and people by using oxygen and plants. If you have installed aeration in the pond this is a very good thing! If you have a natural aquatic shoreline with plants to filter and cleanse the water you will be more likely to be able to enjoy your pond in the hot days of summer. For swimming, fishing and playing with the grand-kids there is nothing like the backyard pond on a hot summer day. Creating a natural pond is a long-term project that requires patience and an understanding of the natural forces that affect natural conditions.

THE RIGHT FISH FOR YOUR POND Summer fish kills could be a sign that your pond is not designed for that species Size and Depth Ponds ranging in size from 1/4 acre to several acres can provide satisfactory sportfishing. Ponds less than 1/4 acre in size will not provide adequate amounts of natural food or cover to support a healthy sportfish population. Pond depth depends on the climatic conditions. In areas where freezing weather is common ponds must be deeper in order to avoid the possibility of winterkill. At least 1/3 of the pond should have a depth of 6 feet or more. Ponds used for irrigation, livestock watering, and other high consumption uses, or those with intermittent water sources and high evaporation rates, should be deeper than 6 feet. Although shallow water areas serve as spawning and nursery sites for sportfish, they readily become weed-choked. To prevent excessive growth of nuisance water plants, shallow areas should be more than 2 feet deep. Water Temperature Water temperature plays a critical role in determining what kinds of sportfish can survive in a particular pond. In general, freshwater fish can be separated into three groups based on temperature preferences. Coldwater species, which include brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout, thrive at high altitudes or in cold climates where the average surface water temperature is below 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) during the warmest months. Warmwater fishes such as largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, and channel catfish can survive at water temperatures of 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) or higher and are almost never killed by high water temperatures alone. Coolwater fish, which prefer an intermediate temperature range of 70 degrees to 80 degrees F, include smallmouth bass, rockbass, walleye, northern pike, and pickerel. It is extremely important to match water temperature and the fish species to be stocked. Author: L.A. Helfrich, Extension Fisheries Specialist; and B.R. Murphy, Professor of Fisheries Management, Virginia Tech READ MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE

CANADIANPOND.CA SUMMER PONDS PHOTO CONTEST CONTINUES!
The entires are pouring in! We are still looking for the most incredible photo you have of your pond. Maybe you have a great picture of the morning mist on the lilly pads or a frog dancing on a cattail? We are looking for pictures that you feel best represent your pond experience. You can include people or pets or anything you like as long as it was taken between June 1st 2005 and the close of the contest August 1, 2005. Winners will be announced in the September Newsletter. Send your photos to dmilligan@canadianpond.ca . Don't forget to write a caption! Our judges are often swayed by pond poetry! Limit of 3 photos per person please.

NEW FROM CANADIANPOND.CA FOR 2005! AIR-2-GO™ COMPLETE AERATION KIT! Ultra-efficient aeration systems for koi ponds, water gardens and small constructed wetlands. The Air-2-Go Kit Includes a ultra-silent high-output compressor & Bubble Tubing™ (the new made-in Canada diffusion system). Ideal for any pond up to 50' x 50' and 6 feet deep. More Information on the AIR-2-GO system