Molly Jones, Clemson Extension Area Water Resources Agent
As temperatures increase and the pond ecosystem becomes active after dormancy over winter, many changes can occur within the pond system. Over the winter and early spring runoff from storms can distribute nutrients and sediments into the pond creating cloudy water from suspended sediment and nutrients feeding the microscopic algae and aquatic weeds in the water system as it awakens.
Algae is essential in a healthy pond ecosystem forming the base of the pond’s food chain and helping support healthy oxygen levels for aquatic life. With an overabundance of nutrients and warmer temperatures, algae can “bloom” and create issues within the ecosystem. Algal blooms may cause waters to become cloudy, change colors, and form an unpleasant odor as they break down in the water. Some algal blooms can be dangerous due to the release of toxins into the water. These toxins can be harmful to living organisms that utilize the pond. To learn more about harmful algal blooms (HABs) check out the Harmful Algal Blooms Online Course
Some basic steps to help the overabundance of nutrients are to clean up after pets and livestock, only use fertilizers as needed, plant and/or maintain vegetated buffers around your shoreline, and keep leaf litter and lawn clippings out of the pond.
Storm runoff can distribute large amounts of sediments into the water. Winter and spring rainstorms are abundant in South Carolina. Suspended particles from erosion can create cloudy water and become detrimental to fish populations by decreasing oxygen in the water. Cloudy water can also limit sunlight from reaching submerged aquatic plants hindering their ability to produce oxygen. The best way to manage sediment from runoff is to limit erosion by planting or maintaining buffers around the pond.
Another potential problem many ponds’ owners experience is aquatic weeds. Aquatic weeds can be a real headache for pond owners. The most important step in managing aquatic weeds is identification. Identifying the weed with your local Water Resources Extension Agent will allow you to develop a research-based weed mitigation strategy
For a deeper dive into seasonal pond management strategies, sign up for the Seasons Pond Management Online Course. This course is fully online with a fee of $15.
If in-person workshops interest you, a Pond Management Workshop will be held on April 2nd at Sandhill Rec as a part of the SC New and Beginning Farmer Program Advanced Workshop Series! Click here for more information.
Citations
Greenthaler, C. (2025, February 1). Pond Management. Fairfield Newsletter, 1.
Wallover, G. C. “Why Is My Pond Water Green?”. Clemson Extension HGIC. https://doi.org/June 13, 2022
Iowa State University Extension (n.d.). Ponds: Managing Cloudy or Muddy Water. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/ponds-managing-cloudy-or-muddy-water
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