Hello. Inherited a neglected pond

[TracyRee]

Hello. We just bought a house that has a small garden pond in the backyard. It is about 4 feet across by 2-3 feet wide and a couple feet deep. Sometime a few weeks ago the pump was unplugged and I just discovered it today. (We aren’t living there yet). Ugh. It smells AWFUL and is literally full of green slime. It’s looks more like a solid than a body of water.

So I’m guessing I need to drain and scoop? Does the bacteria present any danger to us as we clean it out? The smell is so noxious I feel like it can’t be good to breathe in.

I should mention, there are no fish in this pond. Just plants.

Thanks!!

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

Sound like a drain and refill, easy to do without fish in it. You are smelling stagnant water stink. You would want to also remove any debris on the bottom. Plant matter etc. A net does well, or gentle use of a flat shovel.

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome! And congrats on the new pond... I mean house! haha!

Make sure you put that pond water and muck to good use - water some bushes or dump it in the garden somewhere! It's great fertilizer!

 

[TracyRee]

Thank you both!! Will tackle it this weekend and water the plants with the drained pond. It’s been so dry, perfect!!

 

[j.w]

@TracyRee
Have fun playing in the muck

 

[addy1]

When I am playing in the muck, I tend to wear the heavy duty cleaning gloves, most likely won't get sick, by why chance it. I have helped clean out a few horrible ponds.

 

[TracyRee]

So thought I’d update. I mucked around for 6 hours and barely made a dent. Ended up calling professionals. They cleaned it out today and it’s great. Now as Long as I don’t die from brain eating amoeba in 15-20 days, we’re all good.