A Beginner's Guide to Water Management—Muck: Causes and Corrective Actions

Muck from pond at Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Muck is both the popular and the scientific term for the material found on the bottom of ponds and lakes. Its “oozy” feel and rotten egg smell can be offensive, and it provides habitat for problem insects like blind midges. It may seem simple: get rid of the muck; get rid of the problems. However, there is more to this muck-raking story. Excessive amounts of muck in the wrong places certainly can cause problems, but just enough muck in the right places is essential for a healthy lake that supports diverse wildlife and fishing. Learn all about muck and what to do about it in this 13-page fact sheet written by Mark V. Hoyer, Daniel E. Canfield Jr. and Mark Brenner and published by the School of Forest Resources and Conservation Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa200