Clemson Cooperative Extension CU-CAT

Clemson Cooperative Extension · CU-CAT

Pond Algae & Aquatic
Plant ID Assistant

An interactive decision-support tool for pond algae and aquatic plant identification.

Use this guided tool to narrow down likely algae or aquatic plant growth in a pond. You’ll answer observation questions, compare reference images, and receive preliminary results to help you decide what to do next.

Results support education and communication; they do not replace laboratory confirmation or professional guidance.

Before you begin

How the assistant works

  1. Describe what you see

    Answer questions about the material, pond conditions, and any signs of concern. You may also upload an optional photo.

  2. Compare reference images

    Review six image sets and rate how closely they resemble the material in your pond to refine the preliminary ranking.

  3. Review results and choose next steps

    Save your reference code, download a report, and use Next Steps to contact Extension or prepare a laboratory submission.
Important: If you observe a fish kill, sick or dead animals, or another urgent concern, follow the guidance shown in the tool and use Next Steps for expert support.
Learn how results, reference codes, and expert help work

This assistant is designed for pond owners in South Carolina and surrounding areas. It supports communication with Clemson Cooperative Extension, but it does not confirm an identification.

Your answers and image comparisons create a preliminary ranked list of possible matches. Multiple species may occur in the same pond, and a laboratory sample may be needed for confirmation.

After you review results, a reference code helps you continue to Next Steps. There, you can share additional pond context, contact Clemson Cooperative Extension, or prepare a Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic sample submission.

First Step

Please provide a photo of the material in your pond (optional)
Uploading a photo can help improve the accuracy of our future identification tools. Helpful pictures include close-up views with the plant in focus to show details of growth.


Platform last updated: October 8, 2026

Acknowledgment: This work is supported by the Rapid Response, project award no. 2025-67020-44263 (A Web App to Combat Harmful Algal Blooms in Livestock Ponds, by Linking Farmers, Agents, and Experts), from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.