The Chemistry of Impounded Waters as a Factor in Game Fish Production

Abstract

Abstract Since 1931, the writer has been engaged in making a survey of small lakes and ponds for the New York Conservation Department Biological Survey. During this time, he has observed and studied a large number of new and old artificial lakes. These studies have included, among other important factors in fish production, an analysis of those chemical conditions that directly affect fish life. Studies were made on Minerva Lake over a period of several years after the construction of the lake. From the many lakes studied, pertinent examples are chosen which indicate that In small newly impounded waters, chemical conditions tend, at first, to be unsuitable for game fish throughout the entire pond and therefore no stocking should be done. As the impounded waters increase in age, an improvement in chemical conditions is noted, but this improvement usually involves only the surface layer of water. Stocking must hence be limited to species tolerant of warm surface temperatures. The colder bottom-waters rarely...