Dredging a pond admittedly isn’t high on the to-do list of most landowners or business operators. However, looking at this measure in a reactive way instead of being proactive is a mistake.
As with most aspects of taking care of your property, it’s easier and less expensive to dredge a pond as part of regular preventative maintenance than to fix a pond that is already unsightly — not to mention, in all likelihood, stinks.
It begins with biology and chemistry. The idea is to keep materials — both natural and organic and, well, otherwise — that don’t belong in your pond out of it. When that changes, it impacts the chemical balance of the water, which in turn affects what can live there, from fish, turtles and birds down to the microscopic organisms that keep your water clean.
Having a pond that should have already been dredged will affect everything from the wildlife in and around your pond, to its appearance and smell, to property values, should it come to that. For those who value being a good steward of their land, water and resources, that comes into play, too.
Here are some tips on how to know if it’s time to dredge your pond:
- You have a maintenance schedule to meet to prevent your pond from devolving into disrepair.
- It’s noticeably shallower or smaller than you remember it or want it.
- It smells poorly.
- There are no fish.
- There is too much algae.
- You can see debris, of natural or manmade origin.
And a few benefits to doing so:
Greater capacity for water.
The muck from the bottom of the pond, once removed, makes excellent fertilizer and topsoil and is easily organically sourced.
- Cleaner water.
- More aesthetically pleasing.
- More sustainable for fish and thus attractive to other wildlife, and/or usable for recreational fishing.
- More pleasant in which to swim or boat, depending on the size of the pond.
- Higher property values.
As you can see, the cost to have your pond dredged is a worthy investment in order to help it fulfill your needs and desires. Contact us today to consult on a regular dredging plan.