Flocking Reducing Sediment In Lakes
Flocking Reducing Sediment In Lakes
Soil sediments in lake and pond water can cause fish to be irritated, which can cause fish to lose weight. Suspended sediments, otherwise known as turbidity, can also cause problems with the food cycle. The answer is flocking.
What is flocking?
Flocking is the term for clearing the water in a lake or pond by applying a mineral which attracts soil particles, and then allows them to sink to the bottom. The soil particles are attracted to or flock to the mineral due to the effects of positive and negative ions.
Flocking is an important part of lake and pond maintenance, but the cause of the turbid water should be dealt with, or the problem will return.
Bare banks and dams
There are several causes of soil sediments in lakes and ponds, and most of these can be resolved with the proper use of vegetation. Bare banks or dams allow sediment to be washed into the lake with rainfall. The erosion caused by this situation is another concern. The answer, is to get something growing on the bank. Grasses would be the best choice, but almost any low growing vegetation is better than the consequence of none at all. We caution against planting trees on lake and pond dams though. Trees produce large roots, and if a tree dies, the resulting rotting roots may provide a channel for water to escape, and possibly more severe erosion damage or even dam failure.
Sediments from off site
Plowed fields upstream from your lake can lose soil to erosion, which can eventually end up in your lake. Once again, vegetation is the key to controlling the problem. Planting a vegetative barrier at the mouth of your lake or pond will reduce the movement of soil particles, chemicals, and fertilizer into your lake.
Flocking materials
Flocking materials typically include alum, gypsum, or agricultural lime stone. They can all be effective. If you live in a high pH area, limestone might be your best bet, since it will allow you to kill 2 birds with one stone. Otherwise, the main consideration is cost and availability.
