![]() Turnovers typically clear up in one to two weeks. This is also a time when fish kills from dangerously low dissolved oxygen and even harmful chemical release from bottom sediments can occur. During this period, the pond can take on a murky appearance and produce a foul odor. Even worse, in the fall when water temperatures decline and the surface and bottom layers of water mix (often referred to as the turnover), dissolved oxygen that was concentrated near the surface of the pond is now diluted to the entire pond volume and organic material that was once locked near the bottom is released throughout the water column. As the summer progresses, this anoxic zone can get larger and render much of the deep water useless for fish growth. ![]() Decomposition uses oxygen and many Arkansas ponds can become anoxic (lacking oxygen) near the bottom. Over time, organic matter from fish waste, leaves, limbs, and dead aquatic vegetation accumulate on the pond bottom where they decompose. This prevents cooler, and more dense, water near the bottom of the pond from mixing with warmer, less dense, water near the surface of the pond. Most Arkansas ponds become thermally stratified during the summer. However, if raising fish is your main goal, deeper water can be actually be a liability. If your only concern is water storage, this may be true. There is a misconception with some that deeper is better when it comes to pond depth. While the technical details are spelled out in the NRCS 590, some general rules-of-thumb are worth mentioning. Check with your local county Extension or NRCS office for guidance on local contractors. You can also hire experienced engineers to do the work for you. Click the image to the left or link at the bottom of this page to download a free copy of the manual. With this publication and your own equipment, you can confidently build your own successful pond. Main Content Construction The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) publication 590 – Ponds: Planning, Design, Construction is a comprehensive guide to pond construction.
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