Why Is Lake or Pond Water Murky?

When you think about a beautiful body of water, you probably picture clear, green-blue water where you can look straight down to the bottom of the water and see fish swimming. While this is the ideal scenario, you probably know that it’s usually not the case. 

Many homeowners or property managers complain about their cloudy or algae-filled water, and it’s the main reason they seek out water management solutions. Luckily, with consistent, expert management of your lake or pond, this level of clarity can be achieved. But what causes murky or cloudy lake water in the first place? Learn about what makes water cloudy and how you can improve your water clarity.

Causes of Murky Water

Does your lake water look brown and cloudy? Does it also smell? You may have a problem with the oxygenation of your waterbody. Proper oxygen levels are essential to keeping a pond or lake healthy. 

There are several causes of oxygen depletion in water:

• Runoff: when agricultural or residential runoff gets into a body of water, it can greatly impact the health of the pond. Because of the added nutrients in the water, plants grow at a faster rate and deplete the oxygen supply. If you stock fish, a lack of oxygen will kill the fish, and the decomposition of plants and fish will make your pond smell. 
• Poor circulation: When a body of water absorbs oxygen at the surface but can’t reach the bottom because of stratification or circulation, the water can’t self-purify as normal. This can cause a cloudy or murky appearance and similar problems to those mentioned above. 
• Algae growth: while your water may look cloudy or muddy, the cause may not actually be sediment; it might be algae. Planktonic algae often cause a murky water appearance. These tiny organisms can create large blooms on the water, covering the surface and giving your pond or lake a cloudy appearance. It can also make water smelly.

How to Fix Murky Lake Water

There are several fixes to decrease the cloudiness of your pond or lake water and restore its clarity. Depending on what’s causing your pond murkiness, the fix may be just one solution or a combination of techniques.

Circulation:

If the problem with your pond or lake is circulation, there may be a quick fix for the murky appearance. Adding a fountain or diffused aerator will help circulate the oxygen in your body of water and prevent problems with circulation and stratification. These systems move water around, promoting oxygen and preventing nutrients from building up in one place.

Algae:

For an algae problem, there are many solutions that you can explore. In addition to an aerator, if you have excessive algae growth you may also want to consider algae control and management services. Pond and lake experts will use algaecides, mechanical devices, or other solutions to reduce the algae currently in the pond and reduce future growth. Stocking certain fish species that eat algae can also reduce growth.

Maintenance:

Whatever the cause of your pond or lake’s murky water, a sure fix is investing in a maintenance plan. A pond or lake management plan is the only way to ensure your pond stays healthy all year long and retains its clear blue appearance. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting to enjoy the water with your family or a business manager concerned about how a dirty pond will look to potential customers, a water body management plan will alleviate any concerns.

Before AEC Maintenance

After AEC Maintenance

Contact AEC to Restore Your Pond to Its Former Beauty

For lake and pond management, algae reduction, or fountain and aerator installation, turn to the experts you can trust at Aquatic Environment Consultants. Through our consistently exceptional work, we’ve proven our worthiness to be the best water body management company on the east coast. Our solutions are research-driven and proven; we care about the health of your body of water and work until we achieve the results you want. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about pond and lake management plans and our other services. Need further proof of our expertise? Just take a look at our before and after photos of a few of our clients’ properties.