Budgeting for Your Lake Maintenance

Just as no two properties are the same, one stakeholder’s perfect day on the water may differ vastly from another’s. For example, property managers who oversee decorative HOA ponds and stormwater facilities usually desire waterbodies free of weeds, muck, and toxic algae. On the other hand, private property owners seeking to cultivate a trophy fishery require green, nutrient-rich ponds with a robust biomass of plants and native species. And lakes used for recreation may want to strike a balance by creating great fishing opportunities while keeping weeds and algae at a minimum for boaters and swimmers. Many different tools and techniques may be necessary to achieve these unique goals.

Usually, the amount a stakeholder chooses to invest in their waterbody will depend on the breakdown of costs; at the same time, however, the breakdown of costs may be dictated by their budget. What exactly does this mean? Many of the lakes and ponds in our communities are man-made. Over time, they slowly fill in with sediment, plant matter, and other organic materials, which degrades water quality, reduces depth, and interferes with the functionality of the waterbody. Aquatic experts utilize an array of solutions to slow this process, but under certain budget constraints, it may be necessary to prioritize more cost-effective management strategies like algae control or buffer management over larger projects like shoreline restoration. 

Clear channels of communication between the stakeholder and their lake manager helps ensure they understand the choices available to them and their impact on the waterbody. It can also give them a more accurate perspective on costs – just like roofs, parking lots, or tennis courts, many property owners and communities may need to budget over several years for freshwater management projects.

Though every situation is different, the breakdown of costs ultimately can boil down to a simple formula: The sooner that sustainable, proactive management solutions can be implemented on a lake or pond, the more stakeholders can expect to save over time. It is never too soon or too late to begin a maintenance program that is tailored for your specific goals and the unique characteristics of your aquatic resource. Regular maintenance and ongoing reporting helps to ensure your waterbody is on the right track to meet your goals all year long by catching problems before they become too costly to manage. Whether you view your waterbody as a short-term or long-term asset, an annual management approach is generally the most effective and affordable way to care for your water resources.