Farm and water supply ponds are common throughout New England and can present water quality and water supply challenges for owners. One such pond evaluated by Truslow RC in southern New Hampshire is used for irrigation water at a commercial nursery.
The owners noticed that spray irrigation was causing staining of plant materials. We evaluated the hydrogeologic setting of the pond, water chemistry of the pond, and nursery water supply needs. The evaluation suggested that a combination of chemical conditions near the pond bottom and high dissolved iron and manganese levels resulted in oxidation of these metals when used for spray irrigation. These same metals were also suspended and in bottom sediments.
It was determined that sufficient water supply was available to extract water from the upper layer of the pond and, with some treatment, the water could be used without causing plant staining. A water quality treatment specialist was brought in to evaluate treatment options based on water use needs.
Water gardens add to the landscape but can be a complex mini-ecosystem that requires an understanding of the balance between biota and water quality conditions.
We completed a project for a large Japanese water garden that was experiencing excessive algae growth and reduced pond clarity. A study was completed to determine the causes of the algae growth, to understand the capacity of the pond to support its Koi population, and ultimately to improve the clarity of the pond. We also evaluated the water chemistry of the well, which supplied water to the pond and the pond itself and developed an understanding of the physical setting and fish population.
The water testing revealed that the water chemistry of the source water as well as excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels from plant and animal materials combined to create challenging water quality conditions. A pond maintenance and filtering program along with recommendations for follow up water testing was developed for the owner.
Services Provided
- Pond Water Quality Evaluation
- Pond Water Quality Monitoring
- Restoration
- Coordination of Invasive Plants/Algae Removal