Ohio Pond Management Methods for Control of Aquatic Vegetation
Although aquatic vegetation can provide a variety of benefits to
both a pond and pond owner, it can also be a nuisance when it
becomes too abundant. Overabundant vegetation can prevent good
fishing, inhibit domestic or agricultural water uses, and ruin
the appearance of a pond. Excessive algae can lead to summer
fish kills and dense submerged vegetation can contribute to
winter fish kills. Decomposition of plants can cause water to
smell. Dense vegetation can attract insects and unwanted
animals. Fish production can be reduced when thick vegetation
prevents effective predation of small fish by larger fish.
Swimming, boating, and fishing also become restricted if plants
become too thick. Methods for controlling aquatic vegetation:
Mechanical Control. Mechanical control is simply the physical
removal of plants. It consists of either pulling the plants out
at the roots, or cutting the actively growing part of the plant.
Pulling can be done by hand or