In this Issue
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Fall Dugout Maintenance
by Bob Toma, Manitoba Water Services Board Fall is here and winter is just around the corner! This is the time to begin fall dugout maintenance and winter preparation. All that summer growth, in and along the sides of your dugout will soon begin to die and decay causing problems by late February and early March. The nutrients released from the decay, create a great environment for an early spring algae bloom. Because you want to avoid this as much as possible, now is a good time to take precautionary steps. One type of growth that is common in the prairies, is "duckweed." This weed floats on the water surface with a 1/2" to I" hair-like root protruding under the small green petals. Duckweed can also be identified by watching for the large green mat on the water surface. Although this weed can be obnoxious and unsightly, it also has some good points. During the summer, as it grows, it takes up phosphorus and nitrogen from the water. This depletes the nutrient availability for algae growth. Duckweed blocks the sunlight, which also inhibits growth. However, the weed should be removed in the fall. Removal can be done by taking a 4" x 4" pole and creating a boom to float on the surface of the water and pulling it across the dugout. This will gather the duckweed at one end. You can then use a screen or pitch fork to remove it from the water. The removed debris should be disposed of in an area where recontamination will not occur. You will never remove it all, but do your best and your dugout will be in good shape for spring. As the nights get cooler, I suggest you do some aerating. This will help to lower the temperature of the water, hence slowing down and in some cases stopping algae growth. Aerating can be done at anytime when the outside temperature is cooler than the water. Generally, the best time is at night. Remember, the cooler the water, the less growth activity. Once the dugout starts to freeze, you can get started on another method of winter preparation. As the banks freeze, you can cut and remove the water weeds and trees that are growing on the banks and/or protruding through the ice. Be sure to remove and destroy all debris from the dugout and surrounding area. However, all this hard work in winter preparation can prove to be futile. Take the time to look over the area where your spring "fill" originates. Be sure that it isn't coming from areas where you might find large amounts of nutrients (i.e. feed lots, septic field areas, and fall fertilized fields). Remember, the more you clean up your dugout and surrounding area in the fall, the better the quality of the water in winter and spring. |
