The snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and the sun that you’ve been missing has finally decided to show its face. Its time to give your pond a fresh start by giving it a spring clean-out. Spring algae blooms occur because of excess nutrients and deficient amounts of beneficial bacteria. In a clean-out, the stale pond water is replaced with fresh, clean water that is ready for bacterial colonization. Spring clean-outs replenish the water in a pond and allow it to begin a fresh, new season. Since a balanced ecosystem keeps the pond healthy the rest of the year, an annual clean-out gets it off to the right start. Ideally, you would start your spring clean-out early in the spring before the water temperature creeps up above 55°F. At this temperature, your pond hasn’t begun it’s annual balance, and the fish are not as active so the clean-out won’t be so stressful to to them. Spring clean-outs are recommended annually for most ponds because of the debris that can build up over the winter. Very large ponds, as well as ponds in southern states,  may only need a complete clean-out every few years because any impurities present are minimal compared to the temperate region's ponds.