What's the best way to get rid of duckweed in a 1/3 acre pond?

Question

1/3 acre pond, 9 feet deep, lots of trees surround the pond so lots of leaves make it in. I've started to run an aerator and have been doing bacteria/enzyme treatments to get rid of the "muck". I'm told Sonar/Whitecap is the only solution, and then once the duckweed is gone, I have to ensure I tint the water and treat for the algae bloom to follow. then what? Am I done? or is this pond going to need hundreds of dollars worth of treatment annually? The goal is just to be able to thow a fishing line in the water with my son and right now, there's so much duckweed, every cast would pull in huge strands of the stuff.

Answer 1

check with your State University agricultural extension agent, he might even be able to provide you with some discount on the proper agents to apply...

Answer 2

Adding nets of barley straw can help get rid of algae. Chemicals are released as the straw breaks down and acts as a natural herbicide to kill the algae. Rotting tree bark may be just as good as barley straw at getting rid of algae which is a good reason for leaving fallen branches in the water.

This sounds like your option as you said you have lots of trees close by

Answer 3

You will need to treat the pond with copper sulfate, and be sure to follow the directions too much will kill the fish.  It may take several treatments several months apart, you may actually have to dip a rake down in the water and pull it up, we had to do this to our pond several years ago.  Hauled quite a few row boats full of the stuff!  You will want to add aqua shade to the water after treatment of copper sulfate, there is another product on the market but it makes the water look green instead of the pretty blue green that you get with the aqua shade.  Once you have the weeds under control you will  have to add the aqua shade twice a year, early spring and late summer.  Good luck, a time consuming process but well worth the results.

Answer 4

Let the ducks eat it. Then post a question on how long does it take to roast a fat free range duck.

Delicious!