AquaExtension

Pond muck accumulation caused by decaying organic matter is a common challenge for pond owners, often reducing water depth, contributing to nutrient buildup, and impacting overall pond health.

To help address this issue, 's Kori Paliwoda, laboratory technician in the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory and TAMU Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management undergraduate student, is leading a study evaluating multiple commercially available bacterial muck digestion products.

Using pond sediment collected from a catfish pond, the study will compare the effectiveness of these products under controlled conditions to determine which provide the greatest muck reduction and overall water quality benefits. The goal is to provide pond owners with science-based recommendations to help them select the most effective and cost-efficient solution for managing pond muck.

Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses!

Congratulations to Kori Paliwoda on being selected as a recipient of the Waller County Master Gardeners Association Scholarship! 🎉

Kori serves as an undergraduate student assistant in the Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, where she has analyzed more than 100 water samples for private landowners and supports ongoing aquaculture and water quality research. Her attention to detail, initiative, and commitment to excellence have made her an invaluable member of our team.

We are proud to see Kori recognized for her hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in the future. Congratulations, Kori! 👏💧

Not every “pond hack” on the internet belongs in your waterbody.

From cinnamon for duckweed to random “miracle cures” mixed in a 5-gallon bucket, social media is packed with DIY aquatic plant advice that ranges from ineffective… to actively harmful.

Aquatic plant management is rarely one-size-fits-all. Correct identification, water use restrictions, dissolved oxygen risks, fisheries impacts, timing, nutrient dynamics, and treatment area all matter before anything goes in the water.

Sometimes the “cheap fix” ends up costing more than the original problem. 🌱💸

Goodwin 2026 chair-elect of U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef- AgriLife Today Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., was appointed chair-elect of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef during the organization’s general assembly meeting.