Summer means longer, sunnier days filled with fishing, boating and other outdoor activities. But as the warm weather arrives, it can create conditions that may be dangerous for the health and well-being of your family and the environment. Implementing the following proactive and sustainable strategies—or working with your homeowners association, parks service or municipality to do so—can help prevent harmful algal blooms, nuisance mosquitoes and the spread of dangerous invasive plants throughout the summer.

Written by Erin Stewart, Aquatic Biologist and Regional Manager, Colorado

The use of biochar is an emerging technology in nutrient management. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in suitable quantities, are necessary for aquatic ecosystems to flourish. However, excess nutrients introduced to lakes and ponds through human impact, leaf debris and stormwater runoff can lead to the growth of nuisance plants and algae blooms. Restoring balance to a lake or pond plagued with water quality issues, or proactively preventing these issues, can be naturally achieved with the latest technology in nutrient management: biochar.

Biochar is produced from wood products processed in a high heat, low oxygen environment to create a highly porous, carbon-rich substrate. The physical structure and ionic properties of the biochar creates an affinity to absorb contaminants. Independent laboratory testing of contaminated water has shown significant removal of nutrients, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and even suspended solids by the introduction of biochar.

Written by Peter Beisler, Environmental Scientist

Variable milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) is a highly invasive exotic plant that is threatening our freshwater ecosystems. If left unmanaged, it not only has the ability to impair ecological balance, but will readily spread throughout a waterbody and to surrounding waterbodies, as it can easily be transported by heavy downstream water flow and on the boats and trailers of unsuspecting boaters.

SOLitude has been managing variable milfoil for quite some time in Back Bay, a 34-acre bay located on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The relatively shallow bay serves as a valuable resource to the surrounding community by providing excellent fish and wildlife habitat, as well as recreational opportunities, such as fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, a competitive tournament water skiing course/jump and a designated model sailboat racing area.

SOLitude is pleased to announce the contribution of the first ever SOLitude Lake Management Graduate Study Award through SUNY Oneonta (State University of New York College). SOLitude’s $1,000 gift was awarded to graduate student David Andrews during the College’s Biology Department awards ceremony in April. Andrews recently graduated with a Master of Science degree in Lake Management. Another $1,000 was donated to support the Lake Management program, bringing SOLitude's total contribution to $2,000.

"The Lake Management program at SUNY Oneonta afforded me an incredible opportunity to learn in the field and gain knowledge and skills that will guide me for the rest of my career," Andrews said. "Donors like SOLitude Lake Management help make the program possible. Thank you for supporting future lake managers!"

SUNY is the only college in the United States that offers a master’s program in Lake Management. As part of the master's program, degree recipients meet the requirements to apply for the prestigious designation of Certified Lake Manager (CLM) by the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), an organization that brings scientists and professionals together to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs.

Several of SOLitude's experienced scientists are alumni of the master's program, including Derek Johnson, the first person, internationally, to earn a degree in Lake Management.

Written by Industry Expert Bo Burns, Biologist & Market Development Manager

Algae: it comes in many forms and colors. It’s slimy, stinky and can ruin the beauty and function of your golf course lakes and irrigation systems. It’s also one of the oldest known organisms on this planet, which might explain its knack for survival, even under the toughest conditions. Over time, golf courses and property management companies have learned to pick sides when it comes to the safe eradication of stubborn and harmful algal blooms—some in favor of natural management techniques; others in support of applying EPA-registered algaecides to ensure the job gets done. But this year, a new game changing technology will make the management of stubborn algae blooms a no-brainer with more long-lasting results that are beneficial for the environment.

SOLitude Lake Management is pleased to officially welcome seven of its newest hires to the company’s growing team. These accomplished professionals, spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to the West, bring extensive experience and a passion for restoring the health and beauty of aquatic ecosystems in their local communities.

Noel Browning is an Aquatic Biologist based out of Denver, CO. He has diverse experience managing valuable aquatic resources through creative and solution-based strategies based on sound scientific data. Noel earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Colorado University in Gunnison and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Water Resource Management from California State Fresno.

Nick Hanna is an Environmental Scientist in Manassas, VA. He specializes in helping clients achieve their long-term aquatic management goals while ensuring the health and ecological balance of the ecosystem is maintained. Nick graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in Human and Ecosystem Response to Climate Change.

SOLitude Lake Management has been named one of the 50 fastest growing companies in the Commonwealth by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. SOLitude ranked 12th out of 50 companies honored during their 2019 awards dinner in Chantilly, VA, last week.

SOLitude Lake Management is an industry-leading environmental firm dedicated to providing sustainable solutions rooted in technological and scientific research and innovation. From the beginning, SOLitude has focused on preserving the natural ecological balance of our aquatic ecosystems while providing clients with superior value and expertise in lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management.

Now in its 24th year, the Fantastic 50 program is the only annual statewide award celebrating Virginia’s fastest growing businesses.

Fisheries managers often use pond fertilization to improve the biological productivity of a waterbody, resulting in improved fish growth and abundance. As with any management strategy, geographic location, pond owner goals, and primary use of the water body must be considered prior to implementation. If you are interested in the fertilization process (also referred to as productivity manipulation), it’s necessary to first understand how it works in an aquatic environment. Second, it’s important to understand where it is applicable—or not. Last, you should have a thorough idea of what to expect should you choose to employ this technique in your pond.

Written by Amanda Mahaney, Freshwater Biologist

Understanding water as a finite natural resource has defined a century long debate about how to use it, maintain it, preserve it and protect it. Yet, despite these efforts, water quality has continuously declined across the country. Urban development near waterbodies often imparts negative impacts, such as nutrient loading and the spread of nuisance or invasive species. In order to solve a problem, lake management professionals first diagnose and document it using established procedures, but with poor environmental conditions on the rise, scientists cannot be everywhere at once.

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SOLitude Lake Management is accepting nominations for free lake and pond makeover services through the company’s Love Your Lake program. The annual initiative aims to support non-profit charities and foundations in dire need of recreational lake and pond restoration, with the goal of improving outdoor experiences for disadvantaged or special needs children, disabled individuals, or veterans and service members.

Love Your Lake nominees must be considered a non-profit with a waterbody that serves as a centerpiece for foundation activities. The selected lakes or ponds suffering from severe nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, nutrient loading or associated water quality problems will receive the in-kind services and product donations necessary to make the waterbody functional and beautiful again.