Permaculture and a big pond

(This is a continuation of the discussion I started here.)

For those of you joining in the middle of the story, here’s the summary. The pond got really nasty last year. Too much algae and too many water lilies. I’m looking for a natural, non-chemical solution that won’t hurt the animals that live in the pond or feed/drink from the pond.

The following photos are pretty much east to west (obviously on a slight curve):

Quick legend:

• #1 in pic 1 is where the overflow is… leads to a seasonal stream
• yellow line in pic 1 is approximate property line… for the rest of the area, it is near the woodline.
• pic 3 is almost due south
• #2 in pic 4 is the soon-to-be-expanded garden
• #3 is near the crest of the hill
• #4 is the cement base that was used for a ham tower

Back story:

The pond is about 3/4 acres divided roughly 50/50 with the neighbor. But he really doesn’t have access to it. The previous owner of my house had a gentleman’s agreement with the neighbor that he’d maintain the areas that the neighbor couldn’t get to and the neighbor would do magic stuff to the pond. I was a bit bummed that it wasn’t done once I moved in last year.

The summer sun and breezes took away more water that the slow spring (back on the neighbor’s property) could provide. It got a little thick with giant globs of algae and the water lilies were much too exposed.

I found out in the fall that the neighbor had died… on vacation… in his 80s… trying to save a man from drowning.

The (tentative) master plan:

To solve the ick problem in the pond and the severe puddling up by the garden, I’m looking at doing a series of interconnected modifications:

1. Put in a couple swales on the hill vicinity the trees in the middle of pic 3.
2. French drain the garden area with two outlets: the swale and a babbling brook.
3. Sculpt a babbling brook into the hill. Not sure where.
4. Put in a solar pump (or more if needed) to pump water from the pond to a cistern (or barrels) by the garden.
5. Put in a cistern by the garden with an overflow that runs into the french drains.

Theory:

The rain water moving to the pond (and swale) brings fresh water and creates motion. The pond needs fresh water much more than the water-logged garden area does. The plants LOVE the pond water. I don’t like carrying it up that damn hill though. Plus, letting it sit out would let it warm up some.

The remaining questions:

1. Will one or even two little brooks create enough circulation to prevent large amounts of scum production? (Mosquitoes were not an issue.)
2. What the hell am I going to do about the lilies besides getting a kayak and a machete?

Any input is appreciated! (Don’t forget that the discussion is on the Survival Podcast’s forum.)

Sledgehammer

Related posts:

1. St. Patrick’s Day
2. Survival Gardening–What Makes You Do It?