One comment on manure from farm animals. Recent research suggests that kids that grow up around farm animals are much less likely to develop allergies than other kids. The theory is that the constant exposure to relatively harmless bacteria causes the immune system to focus on infective substances rather than on harmless materials such as molds and pollens, etc. I know of no studies that show that exposure to animals and manures (certainly plenty fresh on the farm) causes an increase in the infection rate of children (or adults). If you have worked on a farm, you know that you don't wear gloves all the time to protect yourself from the bacteria. It is to protect the hands from injuries. Agreed that exposure to e coli and other organisms that one has not developed a resistance to or a tolerance of can produce significant disease in an individual whose immune system has not be "hyped" up by continuous exposure to bacteria and other organisms. It is also highly likely that that individual has allergy problems. In the military (the same things happens when one travels), people coming for training from other countries tend to pick up significant GI problems from exposure to the local e coli and other bacteria. If you go to their country for long, you will probably experience the same thing. Again, in general, to contact an infective agent, usually a certain "load" is required to cause infection unless a person is severely immunocompromised. An example is typhoid where a healthy individual will need to consume in excess of 4000 typhoid bacteria at one time to contact the disease. Washing lettuce will reduce but not remove all bacteria. But it is not usually necessary (or possible) to remove all the bacteria (unless you cook it to 160 degrees for 20 minutes or boil it, etc). Our bodies have over many thousands of years developed amazing ability to tolerate our environment. It is reasonable to disagree on this. I'll have to admit I have eaten all kinds of things out in the garden (usually wiping off the obvious dirt first), and have not noticed and ill effect. But then my body has undoubtedly has developed a level of immunity to the organism in my garden. A level of respect for the danger of eating possibly contaminate food materials is certainly warranted. For me, fish pond water would not concern if it had been applied early in the production of the crops. Just an opinion.

catfishsam, I'm not "making up" potential problems. I said "I PERSONALLY have a horrible problem with string algae..." I removed most of my marginals to my "wetland" after reading a post by another ponder (wish I could recall who or where) who had had the same problem and opted to lose the standing water over the marginals. It worked for both of us. But, as with any gardening endeavor, different folks may have totally different experiences. And I'm not trying to put up roadblocks, just trying to point out a potential pitfall of which I am aware. If other people here, such as yourself, have different experiences, they are welcome to share them, and we can all learn from them. A liner with holes in it to create a bog garden would help to keep soil that is not naturally soggy from needing to be watered constantly, thus saving labor and conserving water. But you're right about the original poster wanting water for his frogs - I was no longer addressing the question he asked when I moved on to the bog garden discussion. BTW, I admire and envy your clear water - more power to you!

Since the Craftsman leaf blower has not left for itÂs new home, I had a chance to verify some questions and etc.. 1. The fuel filter was very restricted to my mouth vs my compressor but another d/n make it run better. 2. The muffler had no spark arrest and was as clear as can be. The chrome cyl was as clean as a mirror. The vacuum was as good as the compression mentioned above. 3. Problems include loosing fuel like a float is stuck "flooding" or cracked tank making a raw fuel mess? IÂll pressure test the plastic tank which w/n help running if the "killer" is not gone before I have spare time. Raw fuel appears to be blowing out the muffler due to carb problems and the plug is always soaked? 4. The gray wireÂs purpose is still puzzling since it has metal appears pointing to flywheelÂs magnets? 5. Has anyone posted Pics open using the "free photobucket version" vs links, if so, what are your steps? 6. I have learned more with this project than I had planned but learning and documenting, Is My Life! Loger http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/WhippedByABlower.jpg?t=1282421791 http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/CraftsmanBlower2.jpg?t=1282421791 http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/CraftsmanBlowerrelated.jpg?t=1282523738

Owning 40acres in Northern WI. It has a pond for drainage as well as a pond underging succession. I want to change that and had come here as there are some other folks out there doing the same. I wanted to clarify some things. According to a checklist I found dnr.wi.gov/topic/waterways/checklists/checklist_manualdredging.pdf it appears that I can do this. I have an area about 30' x 20' that I will bring all down to about 1' or less, as long as it all has water and I can get rid of the canary grass. I will so this by hand and plan on replanting with native WI plants which will benifit nature. I realizeI am disrupting nature but there are some species of plants which are not native and are invasive which I would like to avoid and be rid of. I have read much drivel on this site and anyone who wants to know local/state laws the DNR of many states have excellent information on their respective websites. What a wonderful wealth of information. Teaches all anything from planting trees to building a pond. After removing I will place the spoils within 20' of the newly rejuvenated pond in case i picked up any critter along the way. They can make their way back home. I would love to simply fill in the wet hole but I cannot following the law!!! I repeat, following WI DNR codes I will work MY land finding compromise with what I would like as well abiding by laws set up to protect nature. I will plant the following in the water that will fill the hole: Spike Rush, Arrowhead, Waterlily, Pickerelweed, Sweet Flag, Wild Celery, Longleaf Pondweed, Water Stargrass All are edible by various wildlife and even some by humans. I do not have such an ego that I will keep them all for myself...... An old post I am adding to but I enjoyed and am going to enjoy more watching the ducks swim among the frogs. There are 39.8 more acres that has already succesionized so I don't worry too much. I hope the rest of the frogs nt in the pond don't die too much from the glyphosate I will use to get rid of the canary grass so I can plant trees. Only about 400 this year.