Algae Control Measures

On Saturday, March 28 several members of the Environmental Commission piloted an all natural algae control measure at Tommy's Pond. The installation of bales of barley straw should combat the growth of the algae during the summer months. Read the fact sheet for more information.

Tommy's Pond Barley Straw Fact Sheet
The Metuchen Environmental Commission is undertaking an effort to control the algae in Tommy’s Pond using barley straw.  Barley straw is an economical intermediate solution that has been proven to inhibit algal growth.  Although this is not the solution to lowering the high nutrient loads in Tommy’s pond that cause algal blooms, it is being done in hopes that Tommy’s Pond will have a better appearance throughout the summer months for the short term until a long term solution can be implemented.

Algae growth during the summer season in ponds can pose a number of problems. The algae that grows in ponds can cause odor problems, and is generally considered to be very unsightly. These algae blooms seem to be more severe in ponds that have high levels of nutrients which can be associated with runoff from adjacent roads and lawns.

The control of algae with mechanical or chemical means can be costly and ineffective. The use of some chemicals can also have other adverse effects on aquatic species that live in the pond . Once the herbicide is gone, the algae often recolonizes the pond fairly quickly and over time the algae problem can continue to get worse

How Barley Straw Works:
The decomposition of barley straw in water produces and releases many compounds, one of which maycontrol algae populations. The chemical compound does not eliminate existing algae cells but interferes with and prevents the growth of new algae cells. As "old" algae cells naturally die off, few new algae cells are produced and the algae population is controlled as long as the compound is being produced.

Why Put in Barley Straw In March?
Barley straw appears most effective when used to inhibit development of algae, but is apparently not effective in controlling existing algae. For this reason, barley straw should be placed in the pond in early spring for best results. As the pond water warms in April and May, filamentous algae growth and reproduction along the bottom can be explosive. Treatment after this period may not yield the desired control results. Early treatment helps control algae growth during the critical periods when the water warms and algae starts to grow.

Where is the straw going to be placed?
In order to improve the distribution of the growth inhibiting chemical, several small quantities of straw will be placed around Tommy’s Pond.  Each net of straw will be placed roughly equidistant from others and the shore.
 
Are there any downsides?
Barley straw needs sunlight and oxygen to work properly. Muddy or stagnant water will reduce the straw’s effectiveness. Existing growth of surface algae will also reduce the effectiveness by reducing both sunlight and water circulation. Overdosing could cause fish kills in some ponds – Proper dosing amounts

Advantages:
Although the decomposition of barley straw produces a chemical to control algae, the chemical has not resulted in any documented ill effects to fish, waterfowl, or humans. The chemicals produced during this process are naturally occurring and are produced by the decomposition of any plant material in the water. Barley straw provides an economical alternative to mechanical and chemical control measures. 

Another advantage is the slow decomposition process which provides for long-term control. Quite often, mechanical removal or chemical control may have to occur frequently during the growing season.

To this point literature on barley straw placement has not shown findings of any harmful effects on invertebrates or fish except in a few instances where excessive amounts of straw were applied to small ponds and the water became deoxygenated. In most instances, invertebrate populations increase substantially around the straw, providing a useful food source for fish. There is anecdotal evidence that, in fish farms and fisheries, straw treatments may be associated with improved gill function, fish health and vigor.

More Barley Straw Info:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/a-fact/0012.html
http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/APM/APM-1-W.pdf#search='barley%20straw '
http://www.aquabotanic.com/barleyarticle.html
http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/NResources/pond/straw-fs.pdf#search='barley%20straw '
http://www.exit109.com/~gosta/pondstrw.sht