Community Pond Management In California
All waterbodies, from large lakes to small stormwater ponds, provide a gateway to connect with Mother Nature. We innately feel happier, more at peace, and more united with the world around us when we spend time near beautiful blue water – science proves it! California community associations can tap into this feeling by prioritizing the health and balance of waterbodies located throughout their property.
Community pond management in California has many lasting benefits. Beautiful lakes and ponds can make a homeowners community appear more high-end and desirable, they can create more waterfront property options, and they can support higher property values and better resale. Homeowners associations in Napa, Sonoma, Modesto, San Jose, and other regions that are looking to stand out can find great success by establishing an annual management program designed to maximize aesthetic appeal.
Understanding Your Waterbody & Your Goals
All lakes and ponds face different challenges depending on the way they are used, their location, and even the time of year. Community waterbodies are often subject to erosion, nutrient pollution, and ongoing muck development, which increases the risk of flooding. When commencing an annual pond management program, aquatic experts like to gauge the unique characteristics and water quality conditions in the waterbody, as well as the goals and budget of community stakeholders. With this information, professionals can develop a path to success that leans on holistic, tried and true pond management solutions.
The Need for Dredging In California Ponds
Throughout the state of California, there is a growing need for mechanical dredging services to remove muck, detritus, and other organic materials that have settled to the bottom of community ponds. This occurs naturally over time – stormwater ponds are designed to capture and filter the runoff and materials contained in the runoff that flows during rainstorms. However, the process can be accelerated due to many factors, including shoreline erosion, nearby pollution, and build-up from the chronic growth and decomposition of weeds and algae.
Repair Eroded Shorelines with Eco-Friendly Technology
Depth restoration efforts may need to take place first in order to reset the waterbody and start fresh with sustainable maintenance. If sedimentation and cracking are occurring along the banks of the waterbody, a complete restoration using bioengineered shoreline technology can also be completed. This involves shaping and anchoring sediment in place using knitted mesh materials called SOX. From there, the shore is planted with native flowering vegetation for added stability and filtration of stormwater runoff.
Manage Excess Pond Nutrients for Beautiful Water
Though buffer plants can significantly help capture trash and pollutants before they flow into the water during rainstorms, animal waste, grass clippings, debris, and other nutrient-heavy organic materials can bypass this vegetative barrier. Though nutrients are important for all plant and animal life, excess levels can cause an overgrowth of nuisance weeds and algae. The application of nutrient remediation products like Phoslock, Aluminum Sulfate (Alum), and EutroSORB can help “deactivate” undesirable nutrients, preventing them from contributing to poor water quality conditions.
Achieve A Beautiful Pond with Aeration
Another key solution used for community pond management in California is aeration. Floating fountains and submersed aerators have two-fold benefits. They help increase dissolved oxygen levels throughout the water column through movement and circulation, which helps to maintain ideal water quality conditions. They also provide aesthetic beauty. Floating fountains are available in many spray patterns and are accompanied by unique light options for nighttime viewing.
All of this is supported through regular water quality testing. Consistent monitoring of the waterbody helps prevent potential problems like the development of invasive weeds or toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and allows professionals to forecast and intercept them when they are easier to manage.
Enjoy Your Community's Pond with Sustainable Solutions
It’s important to remember that many of the tools used in community pond management in California provide functional benefits, as well as elevate the aesthetic appeal of the property. Residents find great joy in watching birds and butterflies interact with the colorful flowers in a vegetative buffer or watching an illuminated fountain light replace the brilliance of the setting sun. People of all ages will enjoy fishing or skipping stones from a safe grassy shoreline that harmonizes perfectly into the surrounding land. Science proves that when our waterbodies are healthy and happy, so are we.
Achieve Beautiful Water with Aeration
SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty and preserve natural resources.
SOLitude’s team of aquatic scientists specializes in the development and execution of customized lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management programs. Services include water quality testing and restoration, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, shoreline erosion control, muck and sediment removal and invasive species management. SOLitude partners with homeowners associations, golf courses, private landowners, businesses and municipalities. SOLitude Lake Management is part of Rentokil, a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit SOLitude Lake Management at solitudelakemanagement.com, and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
