[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Don't look any different to me, other than fuller after Debby.

I have noticed a tremendous difference in the large lake at Lake Sumter Landing, especially on the east side of the Morse Blvd. bridge. The plant vegetation is taking over and only half of the water is visible now. I've been noticing this for the past couple of years and it really is getting out of hand.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

What they -could- do, is impose a "Seasonal Fishing Only" rule, and enforce it, and introduce algae-eating fish to the retention ponds. Once the rainy season subsides and the ponds start returning to normal depth (or drying out, as some do), they open fishing season and tell everyone it's catch and keep, no more catch and release.

That way you don't have to introduce toxic chemicals into the water to kill the algae caused by man-made retention ponds filling up with runoff rainwater.

I would eat fish out of villages retention ponds. But, that’s me. They exclusively have catch and release policies.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I have noticed a tremendous difference in the large lake at Lake Sumter Landing, especially on the east side of the Morse Blvd. bridge. The plant vegetation is taking over and only half of the water is visible now. I've been noticing this for the past couple of years and it really is getting out of hand.

Been that since I moved here, water not that deep which encourages water Lilly’s and water plants to flourish.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

Many of the ponds have excessive algae and invasive plant growth taking over the waterways. This is the worst I've ever seen The Villages ponds look. I've heard a new vendor came in because they were cheaper. Is this now the new norm...to have substandard waterbodies? I guess you get what you don't pay for!!!

Originally Posted by Triker

Yes they look nasty. The villages does not guarantee the water when they offer the waterfront/view lots at premium price. Welcome to the Villages!

Which ones are you talking about. Everything south looks great.

[ton80]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

Which ones are you talking about. Everything south looks great.

I believe that most if not all ponds South of RT 44 have aerators and you can see the surface bubbling. Aerators keep the water oxygen levels higher and encourage natural digestion of the accumulating sludge that forms as algae die/are killed off by chemicals. There are also chemical treatments that work with aerators to further reduce the accumulated sludge and improve water quality and appearance
The ponds are newer and have lesser amounts of accumulated sludges.

Adding aeration to the N of 44 ponds would be very expensive.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by ton80

I believe that most if not all ponds South of RT 44 have aerators and you can see the surface bubbling. Aerators keep the water oxygen levels higher and encourage natural digestion of the accumulating sludge that forms as algae die/are killed off by chemicals. There are also chemical treatments that work with aerators to further reduce the accumulated sludge and improve water quality and appearance
The ponds are newer and have lesser amounts of accumulated sludges.

Adding aeration to the N of 44 ponds would be very expensive.

But again, which ones look horrible? None of the ponds that I've passed near my neighborhood north of 44 look bad. In the past the complaints have been about the ponds have mentioned those south of 44 - the newer ponds with the aerator and lesser amounts of accumulated sludges. I haven't noticed that anyone mentioned which ponds look bad this time around.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

Many of the ponds have excessive algae and invasive plant growth taking over the waterways. This is the worst I've ever seen The Villages ponds look. I've heard a new vendor came in because they were cheaper. Is this now the new norm...to have substandard waterbodies? I guess you get what you don't pay for!!!

Wouldn’t that be natural progression?

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

But again, which ones look horrible? None of the ponds that I've passed near my neighborhood north of 44 look bad. In the past the complaints have been about the ponds have mentioned those south of 44 - the newer ponds with the aerator and lesser amounts of accumulated sludges. I haven't noticed that anyone mentioned which ponds look bad this time around.

Like many posts like this it's, "I saw a bad one, so they all must be bad."

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

I guess you get what you don't pay for!!!

You get EXACTLY what you paid for. Nowhere in your closing documents does it state the developer will maintain those ponds to any certain standard.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Freehiker

You get EXACTLY what you paid for. Nowhere in your closing documents does it state the developer will maintain those ponds to any certain standard.

Read your documents carefully.

The Developer doesn't have the responsibility, the District's do.

In most cases, they are part of The Villages' drainage system and need to be maintained, per the state permits.

Don't let facts interfere with posting.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by kansasr

Like many posts like this it's, "I saw a bad one, so they all must be bad."

Perhaps read all the posts in the thread and you'll find some of the specifics you must have missed the first time you read them all..

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Perhaps read all the posts in the thread and you'll find some of the specifics you must have missed the first time you read them all..

Just reread all but the TLDR; post. A couple posts mention ponds in certain areas look great, one says ponds south of 44 look good, mine says ponds in my area look good, but not one post mentions a pond with excessive algae.

(For whatever reason, I can't see the picture you posted)

Okay, just R the TLDR post: Isn't clear to me if the ponds were mentioned due to excessive algae, invasive plant growth, or some drainage concern.

[KAM+6]

The pond heading west on 466A after Morse Blvd looked awful last winter . Hope they cleaned it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Just reread all but the TLDR; post. A couple posts mention ponds in certain areas look great, one says ponds south of 44 look good, mine says ponds in my area look good, but not one post mentions a pond with excessive algae.

(For whatever reason, I can't see the picture you posted)

Okay, just R the TLDR post: Isn't clear to me if the ponds were mentioned due to excessive algae, invasive plant growth, or some drainage concern.

Excessive algae and invasive plant growth IS a drainage concern.

That's why I suggested algae-eaters. They're bottom-feeder fish such as catfish, siamese algae eaters, and carp (koi/giant golfdish) that eat algae as the mainstay of their diets.

The "problem" of alligators enjoying those fish for their own meals isn't a problem at all. The reason the algae grows is due to lack of movement and aeration in the ponds. Introduce fish that eat the algae, the alligators will move around the ponds to eat the fish, and nature ends up doing what it does best. No pesticides, fungicides, chemicals of any kind necessary.

The only thing you'd need to do, is impose a "no fishing" order during the rainy season, so that the fish and alligators can do their jobs without interference.

And then, impose a "catch and keep" season immediately after the rainy season to help cull the fish and let the alligators know that their all you can eat buffet meal is over.

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Read your documents carefully.

The Developer doesn't have the responsibility, the District's do.

In most cases, they are part of The Villages' drainage system and need to be maintained, per the state permits.

Don't let facts interfere with posting.

Argh, correct! I meant districts, apologies.

I must have missed the section that said the district has to keep the ponds Algae free and free of natural vegetation. Can you post that for us?

I’ll wait here.