I run a very old shallow silty (mostly) eight acre lake which is surrounded on all sides by mature trees. During the summer it's chocked with weed. This happens every year. When I go out in the boat with the oxygen meter it shows little to no D.O at or close to the bottom, is this normal at this time of year? My other question is how can all of the tons and tons of weed and leaves decompose? Would chalking help with the decomposition and what if any are the negative effects of chalking?
In reply to Post #1
You need to pH test your silt, if it's alkaline then you should look at liming it, if it's acidic then chalk, this neutralises the pH and aids microbial activity.
It would be worth thinning the tree stock to create passage for wind across the lake.
The option to dye the lake is there for weed control.
You need to pH test your silt, if it's alkaline then you should look at liming it, if it's acidic then chalk, this neutralises the pH and aids microbial activity.
It would be worth thinning the tree stock to create passage for wind across the lake.
The option to dye the lake is there for weed control.
In reply to Post #1
The cycle of silt and nutrients is very complex and must be considered as a whole rather than just individual parts.
Id first look at thinning trees and opening wind lanes.
Any chalk type products will allow aerobic bacteria to thrive in the silt and be better at breaking down any organic matter (leaf litter, old dead weed, etc), but this will also start the release of the locked up nutrients in the silt...
This can in effect start a chain reaction that will allow the algae to thrive. Algae is usually the first out of the blocks in spring, so it could tip the balance of your nutritionally balanced lake into a eutrophic lake with too much freely available nutrients.
You must do all you can to be ready for a potential algae dominated lake and put in place as many measures as possible.
Wind lanes, barley straw extract, lake dye, aeration, stock control, etc.
Join the fishery management group on fb
The cycle of silt and nutrients is very complex and must be considered as a whole rather than just individual parts.
Id first look at thinning trees and opening wind lanes.
Any chalk type products will allow aerobic bacteria to thrive in the silt and be better at breaking down any organic matter (leaf litter, old dead weed, etc), but this will also start the release of the locked up nutrients in the silt...
This can in effect start a chain reaction that will allow the algae to thrive. Algae is usually the first out of the blocks in spring, so it could tip the balance of your nutritionally balanced lake into a eutrophic lake with too much freely available nutrients.
You must do all you can to be ready for a potential algae dominated lake and put in place as many measures as possible.
Wind lanes, barley straw extract, lake dye, aeration, stock control, etc.
Join the fishery management group on fb
In reply to Post #1
Whilst chalking/liming is an option and will help a well oxygenated water is also key with breaking down silt/sediment, as suggested getting surface movement by thinning trees is a wise move as well as reducing the yearly leaf litter which a lot of leaf litter with absorb the free oxygen to help it breakdown, any oxygen is a benefit but surface only oxygenation can leave a majority of the water column without oxygen, surface aeration whilst it definitely helps has a lower oxygen transfer efficiency.
Benthic oxygenation (bottom up) is best as there are more benefits, helps support micro organisms which consume organic matter/leaf litter, it mixes the thermal stratification of water column better also more even distribution of the oxygen which will help your low DO in the bottom layer can also help with water coloration which in turn can help reduce algal blooms and light which will inhibit weed growth, probably no benefit in your shallow silty lake though.
Whilst chalking/liming is an option and will help a well oxygenated water is also key with breaking down silt/sediment, as suggested getting surface movement by thinning trees is a wise move as well as reducing the yearly leaf litter which a lot of leaf litter with absorb the free oxygen to help it breakdown, any oxygen is a benefit but surface only oxygenation can leave a majority of the water column without oxygen, surface aeration whilst it definitely helps has a lower oxygen transfer efficiency.
Benthic oxygenation (bottom up) is best as there are more benefits, helps support micro organisms which consume organic matter/leaf litter, it mixes the thermal stratification of water column better also more even distribution of the oxygen which will help your low DO in the bottom layer can also help with water coloration which in turn can help reduce algal blooms and light which will inhibit weed growth, probably no benefit in your shallow silty lake though.
In reply to Post #1
Thanks for the replies. We have chopped a number of trees down to try and increase the wind on the water. Unfortunately because of its location its sheltered on three sides. We also regularly attend the Sparsholt Fisheries managers meetings the trouble is you ask say five experts you'll get five different answers. Essentially I'm looking for anecdotal advice from anyone who has chalked their lake, pro's and cons
Thanks for the replies. We have chopped a number of trees down to try and increase the wind on the water. Unfortunately because of its location its sheltered on three sides. We also regularly attend the Sparsholt Fisheries managers meetings the trouble is you ask say five experts you'll get five different answers. Essentially I'm looking for anecdotal advice from anyone who has chalked their lake, pro's and cons
In reply to Post #5
Does that even work?? Some of the biggest lakes I know are full of weed, and they get a decent chop on them
Does that even work?? Some of the biggest lakes I know are full of weed, and they get a decent chop on them
In reply to Post #5
Send me a pm
Send me a pm
In reply to Post #1
for the last two years we have used chalk and siltex during the winter and so far it looks to have been a good move.
Weed growth is down dramatically compared to 3 years ago
Water clarity seems to have improved
Fish have been putting on weight at a much faster rate
i am not sure of any oxygen changes etc, but for the price i would say its definitely worth a go
for the last two years we have used chalk and siltex during the winter and so far it looks to have been a good move.
Weed growth is down dramatically compared to 3 years ago
Water clarity seems to have improved
Fish have been putting on weight at a much faster rate
i am not sure of any oxygen changes etc, but for the price i would say its definitely worth a go
In reply to Post #8
Chalking or Siltexing (same thing) a water will often result in more weed or algae due to the release of nutrients from the silt.
Chalking or Siltexing (same thing) a water will often result in more weed or algae due to the release of nutrients from the silt.
In reply to Post #9
The weed doesn't concern me greatly the algae is a bit of a concern. What I'm concerned about is the tons and tons of weed and leaves sitting on the bottom and not rotting.
The weed doesn't concern me greatly the algae is a bit of a concern. What I'm concerned about is the tons and tons of weed and leaves sitting on the bottom and not rotting.
In reply to Post #10
I had exactly the same problem with leaves sitting on the bottom rotting away really slowly.
Siltex made no noticeable difference after two applications so, after professional advice, I applied hydrated lime and that really did get things moving. But that said the long-term solution is to reduce leaf litter and get the bottom of the water better oxygenated.
Wind lanes and an aeration windmill have worked wonders on my place.
Remember there's no quick and easy fix.
I had exactly the same problem with leaves sitting on the bottom rotting away really slowly.
Siltex made no noticeable difference after two applications so, after professional advice, I applied hydrated lime and that really did get things moving. But that said the long-term solution is to reduce leaf litter and get the bottom of the water better oxygenated.
Wind lanes and an aeration windmill have worked wonders on my place.
Remember there's no quick and easy fix.