Anyone know much about water lilys?

[AlanThePig]

Start of this year we had a pair of Canada Geese. They were loud, vicious and incredibly destructive. One of the things they seemed to love doing the most was ripping up the grasses around the pond and the water lilys.
Now usually at this time of year they are stunning. This year, not so much. Many are brown and there are not many flowers at all.

Space wise, they have plenty, but I'm wondering if for their health I should prune the brown parts back a bit? Issue is, it's about 15ft deep there so I'd have to do it from the boat. They just don't look healthy.

Any ideas?

Two photos. One taken today where you can see the distinct change in them, and some from 3 years ago when we moved in and they looked much healthier.

Stunning pond, I’m quite jealous! My ponds are puddles in comparison.
My only experience, is when DH ‘cleared’ our pond, remove a large quantity of water Lily. Some was left and after a year it rejuvenated and flowered better than ever.
So I’d remove the brown leaves as they will only rot into the water, thinning out might be good for them.

I think when the leaves are sticking up out of the water it is a sign they need to be divided. Mine are like that this year. I believe they should be divided in the early spring.

That’s the issue. They can’t be divided as it’s about twelve foot or so deep there

I think I’ll try what you suggested @Beebumble2 and cut back a little off the brown and see where we go from there. Is a shame they have ashtrays looked so beautiful.
Damn geese lol