How Does Rain Affect My Pond?

In Colorado, we have more sunny days than rainy ones. After a thunderstorm you may notice your pond greening up. Here are three ways rain affects ponds: Does Rain Affect My Pond?

1. Runoff: Fertilizer and Pesticides

If you’ve recently added fertilizer to your lawn (which is made of ammonia and phosphorus) or used pesticide nearby, it may run off into the pond which can cause an algae bloom or even harm fish. When a pond is at the lowest point in the yard, it is open to problems from runoff. When planning pond placement, make sure it is not at the lowest point. If it already is, refrain from using chemical fertilizers. You may want to add some detoxifier for the health of your fish and do a partial water change if you believe fertilizer or pesticide has been washed into the pond.

2. The Secret Ingredient: Lightning

Amazingly, lightning separates molecules creating nitrogen. That nitrogen dissolves in the moisture in the clouds and in turn, rains down! Nitrogen is the key component in fertilizer. During a lightning storm it is literally raining down fertilizer! Ever notice how green the grass is right after a thunder storm? Its not just from the water, but from the nitrates (fertilizer) the lightning produces.

Basically: Lightning increases nitrates. Nitrates feed the algae.

To counteract this influx of nutrients, give your pond an extra dose of beneficial bacteria soon after the storm passes. You may want to do this every 3 days for about a week, then back off to every week.

3. The Balance has been thrown off

Ponds are ecosystems within themselves. When they receive a lot of rainwater, it can affect the balance of that ecosystem. Make sure you keep the waterfall running, to keep it aerated. Give it an extra dose of beneficial bacteria right after a rainstorm and then again in 3 days. Re-establishing the balance in the system with beneficial bacteria is the way to keep algae blooms at bay.

Does My Pond Need a Cleanout?

Does my pond need a cleanout?

Balanced ponds may need to be cleaned out every couple of years. Ponds that struggle with balance may need annual cleanouts. Take a look at your pond.

◊ Is the water brown, black or unclear?

◊ Do you see muck or sludge on the bottom of the pond?

◊ Is your pump struggling to work because of excess debris around it?

◊ Were the fires particularly bad this year, dumping ash in the pond?

Ponds are ecosystems. When they are in balance, the water should be clear. There may be a touch of algae here or there, but not an excessive amount. When the water looks good and the plants and fish are thriving, you still might need to have the gunk cleaned out. Ponds in Colorado need to run all year long to help keep the water clean. Leaving the water stagnant over the winter can breed a slimy composted sludge that has to be cleaned out in the spring. Learn more about ponds in our Ponds 101. Wondering if your pond needs a good cleanout?
Contact us and text us over some pictures – we’ll help you figure out if a cleanout is right for your pond.

What exactly is a pond cleanout?

When we perform a pond cleanout we:

Remove the water from the pond
Safely transfer the fish into a portable pond that we bring
Pressure wash every surface of the water feature including streams and waterfalls
Clean out equipment like skimmers, biofalls and canister filters
Check all equipment for proper operation
Check for any lights that may need to be replaced
Remove the gunk from the pond
Cut back plant material as needed
Fertilize water lilies
Put clean water into the pond
Add water treatments to establish a healthy ecosystem balance and to protect the health of the fish
Replace any rocks that may have been disturbed during the cleanout
Return fish to the pond
Consult you about the ongoing maintenance of the pond so that it will be beautiful all year long

What about barley straw?

Barley straw helps keep algae at bay.

When using this type of algae treatment, it is imperative that it is organic. Straw that may have been treated with pesticides could kill the plant life and even the fish in the pond. It usually comes in a small “bale” that can be placed in the pond and weighted down by tying a string to a rock that is attached the the barley straw bale. As it begins to decompose, it creates an enzyme that helps to reduce algae.

How long does it take to work?

You won’t get instant gratification here! This may take 4 to 6 weeks to really get going, so we recommend adding it in early spring. Adding it at the time of a cleanout is even better. While a bit of patience is needed, it pays off. Barley straw can keep a pond looking great all season long, because it lasts about 9 months!

Make sure you are adding the correct amount of barley straw for the size (gallons) of your pond. Directions generally come on barley straw that can be purchased over the internet.

Want to learn more about pond ecosystems, check out our Ponds 101 page!

Raccoons in the Pond!

Raccoons can become a pest if they realize you have fish! These pond predators are brave and clever, and deterring them can be difficult.

Try these things to get rid of a raccoon at your pond:

♦ Put in a fish cave for your fish to hide in

♦ Provide plants like lilies and floating lettuce to help hide the fish

♦ Leave your dog in the backyard – raccoons don’t want to deal with dogs

♦ Use mountain lion urine. Yep. Mountain lion urine can be obtained from many garden centers or online. Don’t worry, they obtain it humanely and give each mountain lion a good pet and love for sharing their urine! Follow the instructions on the container. It should deter those pesky raccoons!

Click HERE for More Pond Topics!

How Many Gallons of Water in a Pond?

How are gallons of water in a pond calculated? To find the gallons of water in a pond, we use the calculation of length x width x 80% x average depth x 7.48. Why 80%? Ponds are usually not square, but about 80% of a square. You may have a round pond that is shaped more like a kidney bean, an off-centered oval or a natural flexible shape like the pond pictured here.

What is with the 7.48%? There are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic square foot.

(L x W x 80%) x average depth x 7.48 = gallons in a pond.

So for a 10 x 8′ pond with an average depth of 2 ½ feet, it would look like this:

10 x 8 x .80 = 64. 64 x 2.5 x 7.48= 1,196.8 gallons.

Why it is important to know the gallons of water in your backyard pond?

When you purchase beneficial bacteria, algaecide or other products, the directions will specify the amount to put in based on the gallons of water in the pond. While it may not seem like a big deal, overdosing a pond with a product could cause fish and plants to die. Always know the gallons of water in your pond for the safe addition of products to help your pond stay in balance. Check out Ponds 101 for more information and topics about ponds!

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