Northeast District
Pond Management Newsletter
Ohio State University Extension

This newsletter is distributed by Ohio State University Extension offices in Northeast Ohio. Local extension offices receive hundreds of inquiries about pond weed control, using pond water for drinking purposes, recreational uses of ponds, fish management, pond nuisances, and many other items. This newsletter covers pond management strategies and is a joint, collaborative effort of the following OSU faculty members:

Mike Miller, Medina County Extension Agent, Ag/NRD, 330/725-4911 FAX 330/722-9206
Ernest F. Oelker, Trumbull County Extension Agent, Ag/NRD, 330/675-2595,
     FAX 330/675-2594
Barry W. Ward, Richland County Extension Agent, Ag/CNRD, 419/747-8755,
     FAX 419/747-8770
Terry Beck, Wayne County Extension Agent , Ag/CNRD, 330/264-8722 FAX 330/287-5425
Larry C. Ault, Northeast District Specialist, ANR, 330/263-3831, FAX 330/263-3667
Eric R. Norland, Assistant Extension Specialist, Natural Resources, 614/292-6544
     FAX 614/292-7432

The arrival of Spring heralds the renewal of activity in your pond. As pond water starts to warm andthe sun shines brighter and longer every day, aquatic plants begin to grow. These plants have important roles in the aquatic ecosystem. Excessive growth can cause many problems. If you determine that vegetation control is necessary in your pond, here are several items that should be part of your planning.

Long or Short-Term Solutions

Removal of sediment and decomposing organic material to deepen the pond may provide longer control than regular applications of aquatic herbicides. Shallow water (under 3 feet deep) is home for most weeds.

Integrated Approach to Weed Control Problems

Modifying the aquatic environment can make it less attractive for weed growth. Biological, chemical, and mechanical control methods, used in combinations, are most effective. No single method is appropriate for all vegetation all of the time.

Weeds and Control Measures

After making a general assessment of your approach to aquatic vegetation control, it is appropriate to consider your specific situation. What weeds are present? How extensive is the infestation? To what extent are the weeds interfering with use of the pond? How easy or difficult are the weeds to control? These questions need specific answers. Assistance may be obtained through your county Extension office.

Filamentous algae and most of the submerged weeds begin growing on the pond bottom. Start looking for weeds in the early Spring. Walk the shoreline. Look for algae. Drag the pond bottom with a rake. If the rake floats, attach a brick. If the water is deeper than you can reach, attach a rope to the weighted rake.

Aquatic vegetation will grow. Get an early start on weed control by planning your strategy and then implementing it at the proper time.

I have never met a snake I did not like! If you have met one in your pond and you did not like it, read on. Many times snakes are not wanted around ponds due to the discomfort that many people feel when snakes are close by the "ole swimming hole".

Snakes present problems for trout, minnows and frogs. Preventative controls for snakes include mowing pond bank vegetation and removing logs, tree roots, branches and large stones from the shoreline. Maintain some vegetation to reduce the risk of soil erosion. Happy swimming!

OSU Extension video tape covering aquatic weed control will be available for pond owners.

Algae forms dense free-floating or attached mats of green, hair-like strands. Algae is normally the first aquatic weed to appear in the spring. As algae grows oxygen bubbles are trapped in the mats which float to the surface. The most common filamentous green algae can be identified by texture. Spirogyra is bright grass green and slimy to the touch. Cladophora is called cotton mat algae because of its texture. Pithophora is very coarse, like horsehair. Hydrodictyon forms a soft, green, net-like growth.

Read Label Carefully

Aquatic herbicides have labels with detailed directions on how, when, where, and under what conditions to use or not use them. The label is the federal law on safe use of the product. Never use any pond weed control material without a label attached. If you are not sure how to use the herbicide, get professional advice. Extension agents can help.

Experience shows factors like chemical choice, dosage rate, application method, timing, weather conditions, extent of weed coverage, and water movement affect results. The steps in planning a pond weed control program include:

• Identify uses of the water and pond. Determine where the water goes when it leaves your pond.
• Proper identification of the weeds is essential. The Extension office can help with this.
• Determine the proper amount of chemical to use.
• Review the label for information on time of application, temperature and pH of water.

White Amur Precautions

The weed eating fish "White Amur" eats algae but algae is not a favorite food. Algae control with Amur may not be satisfactory. Using copper sulfate can kill White Amur if they consume toxic levels of copper.

Chemical Control

Copper sulfate at a rate of 2.7 pounds per acre foot of water controls most algae. Many other copper based pond weed materials are available like Cutrine Plus; K-tea; AV70; and others. Refer to labels for use.

There is an important consideration for those who want to protect the eggs and fry of bluegill and bass. Do not use copper containing chemicals until spawning is complete. Largemouth bass spawn when water temperature is about 60 degrees. Bluegill spawn around 70 degrees. Copper containing chemical control can kill the fry or eggs.

Biological Control

Products like Aquashade, which dye the water blue, shade the bottom of the pond and help control algae. If algae is floating on the surface the dye products will not work.

Brand names are used to simplify discussions. No criticism is intended of products not mentioned nor endorsement intended of products mentioned in this article.