Athens — Muddy water is often a problem in East Texas farm ponds because it inhibits the growth of natural fish foods and is not aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the reduced visibility in muddy ponds limits the ability of sight-feeding predators, such as large mouth bass, to feed on forage populations effectively.

The first step in clearing ponds is to inspect the watershed and shoreline for signs of erosion. Grass sod should be established on bare areas. Rocks or other rip-rap material should be placed on shorelines of larger ponds if eroded by wave action.

Many ponds become temporarily muddy following heavy rains, but clearing usually occurs in a few days. Abundant bullhead catfish and/or common carp populations may also cause muddy conditions and should be eliminated.

If heavy rainfall or undesirable fish are not causing muddy conditions, the cause is negatively charged clay particles causing coagulation precipitation of clay particles.

A good compound recommended for clearing ponds is agricultural limestone.

Early spring is a good time to start a management program for ponds and small lakes. If managed correctly, these ponds or lakes can be a source of recreation and food for your family. Lets look at some management tips to get started.

The first area to look at managing a farm pond is to know the pH in the water. Liming is a critical step that is often overlooked by landowners. Just like pastures, ponds have an optimum pH level that enhances fish growth by keeping the food chain in balance. When pH dips below 20 parts per million, it is time to lime. Ponds in East Texas should be tested just like you test a hay meadow. It is very important to test before you begin a stocking program.

Late winter to early spring is the best time to lime a pond. We recently acquired the material to provide an alkalinity and pH test here at the office. You need to call ahead to make sure we are available to run the water sample before you bring it by.

What lime source is needed? Agricultural limestone just like is used in pastures and hay fields is an adequate material for correcting water pH. Do not use hydrated lime as it can change the pH too quickly and cause a fish kill.

Alkalinity and hardness are important in providing adequate natural food and in maintaining a healthy fish population. The pH of the pond cycles daily because of respiration and photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide released from respiration reacts with water, producing carbonic acid. The pH scale measures the acidity; therefore, as carbonic acid is formed the pH is lowered or the pond becomes temporarily more acidic. Algae use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis during daylight hours and the pond water becomes less acidic with the decline of carbonic acid. Because of this, a pond pH normally fluctuates between 6.5 and 9. If the pH drops below 5, as it does in ponds that receive acid runoff, or rises above 10, as in low alkalinity ponds with excessive algae blooms, fish will be stressed and can die. The only practical method to manage for abnormal pH changes is to increase the alkalinity of the pond.

Alkalinity is a measure of bases in the water. Bases react to neutralize acids and, therefore, directly influence pH. As bases react with the hydrogen ions present, they buffer or suppress pH changes. Some alkalinity is necessary for good algae production.

An alkalinity of 20 ppm or more is necessary for proper algae growth and therefore, good fish production.

Hardness is a measure of calcium and magnesium ions. Hardness concentrations are usually similar to alkalinity (if derived from limestone) but can be different, especially in coastal areas. A lack of hardness can reduce plankton production and cause muddiness.

Weed warpath:

Aggressive competitors for sunlight, moisture and nutrients and prolific multipliers even under adverse conditions, weeds present a challenge for even the most experienced turfgrass managers. The color, texture and growth rate of weeds often contrast markedly to those of the turfgrass they may be associated with in a lawn or sports field. Consequently, weeds detract from the uniformity of a turf and add to its maintenance requirements.

The origins of weeds are as varied as those of our turfgrasses. Most are introduced species from Asia and Europe that were inadvertently brought to this country. Many were unintentional stowaways in animal fodder or ship ballasts, or simply contaminants in seed or food supplies brought to this country.

In lawns and sports fields, weeds are often the result of poor quality turf, rather than the cause of poor turf. The aggressive nature of weeds and their prolific reproductive capacity enable them to invade thin, weak turf areas. Cultural practices should always be viewed as the first step to effective weed control. If the basic problem is not corrected, weeds will continue to occur. An effective weed control program also requires identification of the undesirable species as to its classification as a grassy weed, a broadleaf weed, an annual or a perennial. Most turf weeds belong to two principal categories - grassses and broadleaf plants. Chemical controls for those two categories of plants frequently differ.

Grassy weeds have jointed, hollow stems; leaf blades have veins parallel to leaf

margins, and are several times longer than they are wide; roots are fibrous and multi-branching; and flowers are usually inconspicuous. In contrast, broadleaved plants often have showy flowers; leaves have a network of veins at diverse angles to one another; stems are often pithy; and a taproot is usually present. Another group of turf weeds, sedges, have grass like characteristics, but require a different group of chemicals for control. Sedges are characterized by three-sided stems (triangular cross-section) which bear leaves in three directions (in contrast to the two-ranked arrangement of grass leaves).

Weeds can be further grouped according to their life span - annual or perennial. From the standpoint of chemical control, the grouping is most important, because preemergent herbicides are only effective for control of annual weeds. Annual weeds germinate from seed each year, mature in one growing season, and die in less than 12 months. Crabgrass and henbit are examples of annual weeds - crabgrass being a summer annual and henbit being a winter annual. Preemergent herbicides must be applied according to the expected date of emergence for each targeted species.

Perennial weeds live more than one year, and recover or regrow from dormant stolons, rhizones, or tubers as well as from seed. Control of perennial weeds requires a post emergent herbicide during its season of active growth.

Effective chemical weed control requires identification of the weeds as to their classification (grass, broadleaf, sedge, etc.) life span (annual or perennial) and season of active growth (cool season or warm season). Effective chemical control also requires accurate timing of applications, proper rate of application, and uniformity of application. Always follow label directions for a product and observe all warnings and precautions relative to safety of the application. Herbicide labels should be carefully reviewed for          

additional details on specific users of each product.

Important dates:

March 22-27 — Henderson County Livestock Show at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex, Athens;

April 1 —  Henderson County Cow-Calf Clinic at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex, Athens at 3 p.m. The cost is $10 per person- 2 C. E. U.’s;

April 29 — Henderson County Master Gardeners 2010 Spring Conference at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Center, Athens. Doors open at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent - Agriculture for Texas Cooperative Extension. Visit our web page at http://henderson-co.tamu.edu.