Download - Pond Water Quality
![Page 1: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Pond Water Quality (the basics)
Frank HenningUGA Watershed Extension Agent
![Page 2: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
To a great extent water To a great extent water quality determines the quality determines the success or failure of a success or failure of a
fish operationfish operation
![Page 3: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
• EatEat
• BreatheBreathe
• Excrete wastesExcrete wastes
• ReproduceReproduce
• Take in and lose saltsTake in and lose salts
Fish live in waterFish live in water
![Page 4: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Water Quality Factors
• Oxygen/CO2
• Alkalinity, Hardness & pH
• Sediment• Nutrients (NH3 and P)
• Temperature
![Page 5: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen
• ImportanceImportance– highest cause of mortalityhighest cause of mortality
• Safe levelsSafe levels– greater than 5 mg/Lgreater than 5 mg/L
• Dense bloom, bloom die-offDense bloom, bloom die-off
herbicide app. & turnoverherbicide app. & turnover
![Page 6: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Daily O2, CO2 Cycles
![Page 7: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
DO Management
Avoid OverfeedingMaintain Proper DensitiesAvoid Over-fertilizationIntelligent Weed ControlMonitor Inflow Quality
![Page 8: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Outlet Design
![Page 9: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Signs of Low DO• Fish not eatingFish not eating
• Piping & GaspingPiping & Gasping
• Groups of Fish at InflowGroups of Fish at Inflow
• Poor GrowthPoor Growth
• Frequent Disease/Parasite OutbreaksFrequent Disease/Parasite Outbreaks
![Page 10: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05 pm 10 pm 5 am
Measured values
Projected values
mg/l
ProjectedDissolved Oxygen Levels
Lethal
![Page 11: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Problem Suspected
Monitor DOProvide Aeration & Circulation
![Page 12: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
TemperatureTemperature• Effects
– metabolic rate doubles
for every 18oF increase
– Influences spawning
– Influences growth
• Water Density– Max @ 39o F
– Turn- over
Fish Categories – coldwater – coolwater - warmwater
![Page 13: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
pHpH
• Measure of the hydrogenMeasure of the hydrogen ion concentrationion concentration• 1-14 scale1-14 scale
– less than 7 acidicless than 7 acidic–greater than 7 basicgreater than 7 basic
• Safe rangeSafe range–6.5 - 96.5 - 9
![Page 14: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
HardnessHardness• Hardness if the measure of Hardness if the measure of
divalent cationsdivalent cations– calciumcalcium
– magnesiummagnesium
• Hardness is used as an Hardness is used as an indicator of alkalinity but indicator of alkalinity but hardness is not a measure hardness is not a measure of alkalinityof alkalinity– magnesium or calcium magnesium or calcium
sulfate increases hardness sulfate increases hardness but has no affect on but has no affect on alkalinityalkalinity
• Recommended hardness Recommended hardness levels > 20 ppmlevels > 20 ppm
![Page 15: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
AlkalinityAlkalinity• Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer
against wide pH swingsagainst wide pH swings
• Acceptable range 20 - 400 mg/L Acceptable range 20 - 400 mg/L
![Page 16: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Liming PondsLiming Ponds•Total Alkalinity > 20 ppmTotal Alkalinity > 20 ppm
•Agricultural LimeAgricultural Lime
~ every 2 – 4 years~ every 2 – 4 years
• Broadcast Over theBroadcast Over the
Entire Pond SurfaceEntire Pond Surface
•Professional LimingProfessional Liming
Barges on Large PondsBarges on Large Ponds
![Page 17: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Total Alkalinity Lime/Surface Area
12 mg/l12 mg/l 1-2 ton1-2 ton
12 - 14 mg/l12 - 14 mg/l 1 ton1 ton
15 - 25 mg/l15 - 25 mg/l 1/2 ton1/2 ton
25 mg/l or more25 mg/l or more NoneNone
Guidelines forGuidelines forApplication of Lime in PondsApplication of Lime in Ponds
![Page 18: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Proper FertilizationProper Fertilization
Improper Fertilization, # 1 Cause of Most Problems
•5-10 apps per year
•Start in February
•Time apps using secchi disk
•Shade out weeds
![Page 19: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Fertilization Fertilization SupplementsSupplements
the Food Chain the Food ChainMore Fish - Not More Fish - Not Bigger FishBigger Fish
Multiplies the Base Multiplies the Base of the Food Chainof the Food Chain
Increases Carrying Increases Carrying Capacity 4XCapacity 4X
![Page 20: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Using the Secchi DiskUsing the Secchi Disk•Professional Disk $25
•Measures visibility
•Measure frequently
•Pie pan, 5 gal bucket lid w/ weight.
![Page 21: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
![Page 22: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
![Page 23: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Granular Fertilizer ApplicationsGranular Fertilizer Applications
•Usually applied usingUsually applied using
a platforma platform
•Upper end of pondUpper end of pond
![Page 24: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Liquid Fertilizer ApplicationsLiquid Fertilizer ApplicationsTip # 1 - Dilute the Tip # 1 - Dilute the fertilizer with water.fertilizer with water.
Tip # 2 - Use small bilge Tip # 2 - Use small bilge pump.pump.
Tip # 3 - Pump or pour Tip # 3 - Pump or pour into prop wash.into prop wash.
Tip # 4 - Cover the Tip # 4 - Cover the entire pond.entire pond.
![Page 25: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Water Soluble Water Soluble FertilizerFertilizer
New trend New trend
Easy to applyEasy to apply
Fast resultsFast results
![Page 26: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Water plants Food
Excessfood
Fishes
PeptidesAmino acids
Urine
Urea
Ammonia(NH )
Algae
Nitrate (NO )
Nitrite (NO )
Feces
2
3
3
The Nitrogen Cycle
![Page 27: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
![Page 28: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Management for N ProblemsManagement for N Problems
• Reduce DensitiesReduce Densities
• Avoid OverfeedingAvoid Overfeeding
• Water ChangesWater Changes
• AerationAeration
• SaltSalt
![Page 29: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Clearing Muddy PondsClearing Muddy PondsStep # 1 - Find the CauseStep # 1 - Find the Cause
Undesirable SpeciesUndesirable Species
Poor Watershed ManagementPoor Watershed Management
Undesirable Water SourceUndesirable Water Source
Step # 2 - Evaluate SolutionsStep # 2 - Evaluate Solutions
Total Renovation of PopulationTotal Renovation of Population
Watershed VegetationWatershed Vegetation
Chemical AlternativesChemical Alternatives
Step # 3 - Implement Management PlanStep # 3 - Implement Management Plan
Establish vegetation in the watershedEstablish vegetation in the watershed
Lime pond, 200-500 lb Gypsum, AlumLime pond, 200-500 lb Gypsum, Alum
![Page 30: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Phosphorus
•Limiting nutrient•Animal waste•Monitor nutrient input
>0.1 ppm (0.05 ppm)
![Page 31: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Test Kits
• Turbidity (Secci) • DO• Ammonia• pH• Temp• Alkalinity• Hardness
![Page 32: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Lab Analysis (UGA Extension)
• Alkalinity• Hardness• Phosphorus
1.800.ASK UGA1
![Page 33: Pond Water Quality](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062422/56812c29550346895d909f57/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
More Information
http://srac.tamu.edu/
http://county.ces.uga.edu/habersham/aqua/pondmanagement.html