How to Get Rid of Muck in a Lake

Muck can't be seen above water, but every lake has it.

If you've ever gone swimming in a lake, you've no doubt felt the gooey substance that has gathered on the lake floor. That substance is called muck. It is the accumulation of dying and decaying organic material that has settled at the lake's bottom. Muck can come from algae, fish, grass and leaves. It does not only occur in private lakes. Spas, ponds and pools -- any body of standing water, really -- may accumulate muck over time. Luckily there are ways to deal with this issue.

Things You'll Need

• Muck rake
• Muck pellets
• Aeration System

Instructions

Remove muck from your lake.

1. 

   Strict laws govern public lakes, and should be followed at all times.

   Determine whether you own the body of water in question. Your legal rights for removing muck will vary greatly depending on whether you own the property and the rules your local municipality may have in place for dealing with muck and other problems.

2. 

   Most muck is made up of dead algae.

   Determine the size of the body of water. If it is a large private lake, then you probably won't want to do the job yourself. Instead, hire a company to bring out commercial aeration systems to deal with muck. In the case of a smaller pond, you may wish to purchase a muck rake, pellets and aeration system from a vendor. You can find vendors online through a simple search.

3. 

   Specially designed rakes are ideal for pulling muck up from the lake bed.

   Rake the bed of the lake with your muck rake. Dredge up the muck that is currently present and dispose of it, perhaps in a refuse pile or compost heap. Be careful, as muck is a breeding ground for leeches.

4. 

   Muck pellets will add muck eating bacteria to your lake.

   Add your muck pellets. These pellets vary from brand to brand, but generally contain beneficial bacteria that break down organic muck. Pellets usually remove up to five inches of muck per year even without an aeration system.

5. 

   An aeration system will help to keep fish alive.

   Set up an aeration system. The bacteria from your muck pellets function best when used in conjunction with an aeration system. These systems add oxygen and help remove sediments that kill fish. In smaller bodies of water, an aeration system can help keep an even temperature throughout and thus diminish the growth of muck.

References

• The Pond Guy Blog; Pond & Lake Q & A; thepondguy; April 2009