Pond Management

In this section, I will discuss how to manage irrigation holding ponds, decorative water features, and all other large bodies of water next to the playing surface.

Ponds and lakes are used for multiple functions. They provide a natural beauty that can attract wildlife and add to the serenity of the patron's experience. Secondly, ponds and lakes provide a good source of water to draw from for irrigation.

At Lahontan Golf Club we had three smaller holding ponds and one large lake on the golf course. They were all stocked with Lahontan Cutthroat Trout that were caught by the members as a secondary activity to golf. Because these fish were possibly being consumed by the members, local birds of prey, and bears, we did not want to add any chemical that would have adverse effects on the fish.


Because these ponds had little to no circulation in them we had to come up with ways to keep algae down. Here are a few natural additives that were utilized.

AquaSphere Pro

 AquaSphere Pro Web Link - Two slow dissolve pellets treat your standard 1 Acre Pond

Black Onyx Pond Die

 Black Onyx Label - This was used to discourage the growth of Algae by allowing less sunlight into the pond.

Blast Packs

I can't seem to find a label for this product. This product "Advances the decomposition of organic matter in the pond by encouraging beneficial bacteria".

Combined we saw fantastic results. The AquaSphere would maintain the algae levels in the pond, Black Onyx would keep plant life from taking over and choking out the fish, and the Blast packs would help decompose the mulch at the bottom keeping a healthy balance of detritus on the floor of the pond.

Gooseneck Lake at Lahontan Golf Club