The summer season means warmth, sunshine and long days to enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and spending time around the water. Unfortunately for many communities, the warm weather can also promote the growth of pond algae in lakes and ponds used for recreation and drinking water. In community waterbodies, moderate amounts of algae can often signify the waterbody is in good health, but excess algae levels may indicate that the natural balance of the ecosystem has been compromised. Without swift and proper management, certain species of algae, like cyanobacteria, can begin producing harmful toxins.

Following exposure or digestion of these toxins, humans and animals can experience skin rashes, liver and kidney toxicity, nervous system problems, respiratory complications and even death. Exposure to cyanobacteria also has suspected links to degenerative diseases like ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Water chestnut has invaded waterways from Canada to Virginia along the East Coast since its introduction in the 1870s. Water chestnut can be identified by its triangular serrated floating leaves arranged in a rosette pattern, radiating from a central stalk. The stalk is rooted to the bottom substrate and covered in feathery submersed leaves.

Written by Industry Expert Matthew Ward, Fisheries Biologist

If you own or manage a body of water long enough, you will experience invasive vegetation and algae growth. This growth can be associated with bad smells and dead fish, converting an otherwise pristine waterbody into an ugly mess. Often, a manager’s first reaction is to identify the intruder, apply a fast-acting herbicide/algaecide and wash their hands of the matter. This strategy may work for a while, but unfortunately, growth returns time after time. Managers can eventually enter a cycle where the frequency and severity of invasive growth begins to climb out of control along with expenses. Enter Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM considers biological, mechanical and chemical controls alongside adjustments in cultural practices, enabling us to treat the problem, not just the symptoms.

AS SEEN IN Quorum, Washington Metropolitan Chapter and Community Associations Institute: Written by Industry Expert Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist

The last decade has brought major changes to the pond and lake management industry. Every community that has privately maintained ponds, lakes or stormwater best management practices has responsibilities to manage the structural, functional and aesthetic integrity of the facilities. The primary ongoing maintenance issue in these facilities is typically the prevention and control of nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Through SOLitude’s corporate volunteering and community outreach program, The SOLution, the company has named Aquatic Biologist Brea Arvidson of Massachusetts as Volunteer of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2018. Brea has been active through various volunteering events supporting her community.

Written by Industry Experts Paul Dorsett, Fisheries Biologist, and Keith Gazaille, Director of Lake Management – North and Mid-Atlantic

Flag Lake is a 664-acre lake located on Barksdale Airforce Base near Bossier City, Louisiana. The lake is relatively shallow, averaging less than four feet deep, and serves as a valuable aquatic resource to the base and the surrounding communities by providing excellent fish and wildlife habitat, as well as important recreational opportunities in the form of fishing, waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing. Historically, Flag Lake has suffered from the excessive growth of a variety of plant species, but most notably, invasive hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). In recent years, however, giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) has dominated the plant assemblage, reaching problematic conditions in 2017 with an estimated 500 acres of water covered in this invasive aquatic plant. To combat this invasive species, SOLitude employed a volumetric management approach that was fairly experimental for an infestation of this magnitude.

 SOLitude Lake Management, the largest nationwide lake management consultant in the country and industry leader in lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management, will appear on the television show “World’s Greatest!...” on Monday, July 23, 2018.

The popular television series is a thirty-minute show dedicated to highlighting the world’s greatest companies, products, places, and people. Each episode offers a fast-paced tour around the world featuring behind-the-scenes footage, informative interviews and exciting visuals. 

SOLitude’s exponential growth, premium service offerings and commitment to the environment, coupled with a dedicated focus on internal culture and charitable efforts, helped solidify the company’s selection as the best in the freshwater management industry and inclusion in the show’s 260th episode. 

SOLitude Lake Management is pleased to officially welcome eight of its newest hires to the company’s growing team. Aquatic specialist Jim Sheeran and seven sales and administrative professionals joined the company to support SOLitude’s industry leading biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists, and create positive and memorable experiences for clients, prospects and partners. These experienced individuals, spanning from the the Mid-Atlantic to the Southwest, bring unique expertise and a shared passion for the restoration and protection of lakes, ponds, and wetlands throughout the country.

SOLitude Lake Management is dedicated to making water a more healthy and beautiful part of our world and works alongside property owners, municipalities and communities across the nation to ensure their aquatic resources are properly protected. SOLitude also supports our country’s charitable and non-profit organizations whose needs coincide with the company’s quest to create a better tomorrow through the restoration of lakes and ponds. Backed by SOLitude’s internal volunteering and community outreach program, The SOLution, SOLitude and various industry partners are able to donate equipment and staff resources towards the improvement of waterbodies used for recreational activities that benefit underprivileged children, military personnel and disabled individuals.

Written by Industry Expert Eric Carnall, Environmental Scientist 

Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is a perennial plant native to South America. It was first reported in the United States in 1897. Listed as a prohibited aquatic weed in many states, its growth has caused significant economic and ecological damage throughout the Southern United States.

Alligatorweed reproduces in North America primarily through vegetative propagation, but seeds have been found as well. Morphologically speaking, alligatorweed can be varied based on the surrounding environment; in fact, it has adapted to grow in both aquatic ecosystems and xeric (desert) habitats. Typically, this invasive plant can be identified by its