Creating a Lake

[Farwell]

Dave,
The environmentalists won't let the folks at Clear Lake use the necessary chemicals to clear up the algae.
The same folks that won't let the Sacramento Delta use the necessary chemicals to clear up the Water Hyacinth that is plugging up the waterways so bad that a boat can not pass through it.
David

 

[RobJ]

I've heard it can take a couple years for a pond to clear up. But I imagine it depends on the runoff going it. BIL has a pond that the run off goes throught leaves and grass, etc. Is always clear. Then a red pond on the side of a red clay hill. It's always brown...or reddish. no fish in that one. all sorts in the clear pond.

nice pics! Where's our thanksgiving Log pic??

 

[EddieWalker]

Dave,

Yes, I've been to Clear Lake a few times and agree it's name is rather misleading. It's never been one of my favorite lakes, but to be honest, I prefered the Delta to any of the lakes.

David,

It's been years since I lived and skied in the Delta, but I don't remember seeing any Hyacinth. I did make the mistake of putting some in a goldfish pond for a few months. It went from a nice plant one week to a monster the next. It was amazing how quickly it took over and covered up all the water.

Rob,

I put some fish in my small pond this year. The water is very muddy looking and I didn't think fish would survive, but they have and are doing great!! My catfish are very, very light colored and we think that's because they need to absorb more sunlight through there skin. It's just a guess.

The rain runoff will continute to come across exposed dirt for awhile due to my land clearing and road building. Hopefull I'll catch allot of silt in my pits before it goes through my culverts.


To all,

Here are the latest pics of the water level.

The first three pics are dated and show the rise in the water level. Pay attention to the island on the right. In the amount of dirt exposed is gone now, but you can see it in last weeks picture.

I did get an inch of rain two days ago which really helped. The more the water rises, the more it spreads out!!!

The fourth picture is taken from the same spot I take the picture from every week of the overall lake. It's really starting to look like a large body of water!!!!

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Renze]

Eddie it looks like a lake now, instead of a drowned roughland

When are you going to set out the grass carp

 

[npaden]

Looking really good!

 

[Glowplug]

Eddie-The first pics of Lake Marabou lookin' like a real lake instead of a junked up mud puddle! Looks really good with the submersed islands and fish hideaways actually becoming covered over with water. I think that is going to be one beautiful lake once it gets established! Congratulations!

 

[klm]

I think the first good rain you get over 3 or 4 inches you are going to lose the dam.

 

[EddieWalker]

Renze, Nathan & Glowplug,

Thanks!!!

klm,

Why would I lose the dam from a heavy rain? What did I do wrong? or what should I do to prevent this from happening?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[slowzuki]

I suspect its regarding the spillway. I've always read most inexperienced pond designers neglect the spillway and the first time it overflows the dam is lost.

The reason is the sheer volume of water it has to carry when overflowing in a storm. I can't remember what yours is like Eddy but generally on large lakes they are concreted or ripraped.

Renze, Nathan & Glowplug,

Thanks!!!

klm,

Why would I lose the dam from a heavy rain? What did I do wrong? or what should I do to prevent this from happening?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[HillbillyFarmer]

I can't think of a better way to mess up some good land than to go off half cocked building a pond. Ponds need to be designed and built according to a well conceived and engineered plan.
Yea, you might get lucky, but more often than not, a poorly though out pond construction job becomes a disaster.