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SOLitude Lake Management is pleased to offer various case studies related to the work we do for lake and pond owners in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the US. We invite you to contact us today at 888-480-LAKE or 866-697-2584 for information on our lake and pond management services, mapping, and goose control. Bathymetic Mapping Helps HOA Plan Their Future  In the summer of 2010, SOLitude Lake Management recently completed a bathymetric study of a homeowners association lake in Henrico County, VA. This study was conducted to help the residents assess the overall condition of their lake, identify areas of significant sedimentation, plan for dredging and overall future maintenance. Combined with our professional inspection of the lake and report, this bathymetric mapping is a powerful tool for residential communities in their long term planning and budgeting.
Engineers Select Local Bathymetric Lake Mapping Expert In the spring of 2010, SOLitude Lake Management provided a bathymetric lake mapping for a lake in Virginia. Engineers recently performed a flood study on the dam and found the spillway insufficient. While preparing an engineering report to propose upgrade options the only bathymetric data available was hand collected in the 1950's. As a local expert on bathymetric mapping, SOLitude Lake Management was able to conduct an accurate, up-to-date lake depth map for the engineer's report. This will provide the precise lake depths needed to create the best dam upgrade options. In addition, the data will assist engineers in determining the amount of volume reduction achieved if the decision is made to lower the lake level a few feet. Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeAccomack County, Virginia
190.50 Acres In 2009, SOLitude Lake Management was contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to aid in the eradication of Phragmites australis on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. SOLitude was brought in to treat areas of the refuge that were unable to be treated with aerial applications. Using an amphibious vehicle, the applicators  were able to travel throughout the refuge, through the marshes, mud flats, beaches, and forests with relative ease. Using this vehicle, SOLitude was able to seek out and treat plots of Phragmites that were otherwise difficult to reach. Each of the plots of Phragmites were mapped using GPS technology and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was provided with maps from our partner, The Mapping Network. These maps allowed the customer to quantify the areas that were treated and provide a reference point for future applications. In 2010, SOLitude returned to Chincoteague to follow up on the previous year's treatment. The applicators found that a large majority of the Phragmites did not return. Phramites australis is a very hearty plant and often takes years to eradicate from an area. Using the proper tools will help eliminate this plant and restore this valuable asset. This will be an ongoing effort for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and SOLitude Lake Management will be there to help along the way.
Fisherman's Island National Wildlife RefugeNorthampton County, Virginia
30.00 Acres SOLitude Lake Management Company is a certified aquatic pesticide applicator in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and as such, was contracted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in a partnership with helicopter applicators to provide the ground application resources required to treat the areas of Phragmites growth that was not able to be treated through aerial applications.As a certified mapping partner of The Mapping Network, SOLitude Lake  Management used GPS lake mapping technologies to document and provide detailed maps and aerial photography of the areas in which the Phragmites were treated. Not only did this allow the customer to quantify the acreage of areas treated and evaluate the costs of the project, it also allowed them to track the progress of the program as compared to previous years. This was the second year that SOLitude Lake Management was involved in this project, and progress can already be seen. The density of the Phragmites after the first year's treatment has been decreased, and much of the natural vegetation has started to recover and return to the areas that were once dominated by Phragmites. Phragmites is known for its durability and extremely aggressive patterns of growth so this will be an ongoing effort that will likely take many years. However, with the right treatment, and the proper tools and use of GPS technology and aerial imagery, we are able to make great strides towards our goals of eradication of the Phragmites and the restoration of this beautiful natural habitat.
Magothy Bay Natural Area PreserveNorthampton County, Virginia
5.60 Acres Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve has salt marshes, forested wetlands and woodland areas. These features make this natural area unique to the Eastern Shore of Virginia and provide habitat for a variety of birds and other animals. The invasive features of phragmites often destroys the habitat of the animals in the area. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation contracted SOLitude Lake Management to help in their ongoing attempt to preserve the area in its natural state. SOLitude used an eight wheel amphibious vehicle to access marsh and upland areas to treat approximately 6 acres of phragmites with herbicide. This allowed for more effective treatment and will result in long term success in the overall treatment of the phragmites on Magothy Bay.
Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve Accomack County, Virginia
3.00 Acres Mutton Hunk Fen Preserve is located in Accomack County in the Upper Eastern Shore of Virginia. The property is water front and not far from the Atlantic Ocean. Mutton Hunk is low lying and has some rare fauna on site and is one of the main reasons the state set aside this area to be a natural preserve.  Like many of the shoreline properties in this area it has become overtaken with Phragmites australis. SOLitude Lake Management worked with officials from Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Environmental Quality to successful treat phragmites plants throught the site. Staff from SOLitude treated all the marked phragmites locations on site and provided detailed GPS maps for the departments for each treated location. The treatment combined with mapping will allow for the clients to see what areas may be of any concern for the coming seasons.
Nature ConservancyNorthampton County, Virginia
1.60 Acres Nature Conservancy tries to be proactive in assuring that any invasive species remain out of the reserves they set aside. The conservancy sets aside these areas and leaves them untouched, allowing for natural plants and animals to flourish. At the Oyster, Va preserve located in Northampton County, Phragmites australis began to invade and the Nature Conservancy contracted SOLitude Lake Management to treat the plants. 1.6 acres were treated and the client was provided with GPS maps from field collect data. Argo eight wheel amphibious vehicle and backpack sprayers were used to treat the phragmites with herbicide and provide the conservancy with the treatment plan and success they desired.
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