Have you ever noticed that ponds tend to get murky and overgrown with algae as time goes on? This can occur because ponds naturally accumulate sediment over time. If this sediment is not removed, it can lead to a whole host of problems – like lower water quality, decreased oxygen levels, and an overall decline in the health of the pond. 

This is where pond dredging comes in. 

But what exactly is pond dredging and how often is it necessary? Let’s break it down.

What Is Pond Dredging?

Pond dredging involves removing sediment, debris, and other materials from the bottom of a pond. This helps to keep the pond clean and free of build-up that can lead to poor water quality. Pond dredging can also help to improve circulation and aeration in the pond, which is important for the health of fish and other aquatic creatures. 

The actual process of dredging involves using shovels, excavators, buckets, or a dredge to remove sediments and debris from the bottom of the pond – which is then deposited into a rolloff container, geobag, or other dewatering containers. The amount of time it takes to complete a dredging project will vary depending on the size and depth of your pond.

Related Content: DredgeSMART planning & engineering program for small & large ponds

Why Is Pond Dredging Important?

There are a few reasons why pond dredging is important. Let’s discuss a few of the most common reasons.

• Pond dredging helps to maintain the proper depth of the pond. Too much sediment can make the pond too shallow, which can create problems for the fish and other aquatic creatures that live there.
• Pond dredging helps to improve water quality. Sediment and debris can cause the water to become murky and stagnant, which can lead to the growth of harmful algae and bacteria. Dredging helps to keep the water clean and clear.
• Pond dredging can help to reduce weed growth. Weeds tend to grow more vigorously in shallow water where the sunlight reaches, so by maintaining a deeper pond, you can help to control the weed population.

Keep Reading: Check out the additional benefits of dredging

How Often Should a Pond be Dredged?

A pond should typically be dredged every 3-5 years on average. However, this interval can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the pond and size of watershed, the amount of rainfall it receives, the types of plants and animals that live in it, and how often it is used by humans. 

In general, smaller ponds will need to be dredged more often than larger ones because they accumulate sediments at a faster rate. Ponds that receive a lot of runoff from agriculture or urban areas will also need to be dredged more often. This is because they are more likely to accumulate pollutants – such as pesticides, fertilizers, nutrients, and oils. As another example, ponds that are used often by humans (for swimming, fishing, etc.) may also require more consistent dredging (since human activities can stir up sediments from the bottom). 

On the other hand, ponds that are home to a lot of aquatic plants will likely need to be dredged less often because plants can help slow down the accumulation of sediments. Likewise, if your pond is particularly large or deep, this may also require less frequent dredging (perhaps an interval of every 5-7 years). 

Think your pond may be in need of pond dredging services?

We’d love to talk! At PondMedics, we have decades of combined experience helping people all across the country protect and preserve their bodies of water. To see if your pond is in need of dredging services, give us a call or request a service online. Or check out our additional resources below.

• What if I have a leaky pond?
• What is Eutrophication?
• How to successfully stock fish
• Why is my pond brown?