The pond is approximately 9’x6’. I’m not sure where the high water line truly is but the shallow end looks to be about 12-15” and the deeper end gets to between 24”-28” above the large base rock. I believe there used to be power run out to the pond to run at least a pump to send water to the top of a stream that discharges at a waterfall.
I’ve pulled out leaves from the pond the past two years but there’s still about 6” of organic sludge at the bottom.
I don’t think I want to re-line the pond as I would like to do a larger build in this location in the next couple of years.
In the interim though, what should be the priority and preferred methodology to install a filtration system to keep the water cleaner?
I would like to put mosquito fish, WCMM, or other small fish to help mitigate biting bug populations.
I think I would like to engineer a skimmer box with a pump return to a buried tub with filtration plants into the stream or a simple cycle into the deep end of the pond. I’m open to other recommendations. I will be putting a net over the pond in the fall to collect leaves.

