Water Quality Management

Before choosing how to manage aquatic weeds or algae, it’s important to understand why they occur. All lakes and ponds contain nutrients like Phosphorus and Nitrogen, which can be measured by professional water quality tests. Like our bodies, plants and wildlife need nutrients to live. However, it’s possible to consume too many nutrients. In the water, imbalanced nutrient levels can result in explosive plant growth. As the weed and algae die and decompose, they introduce additional nutrients into the water, creating a cycle that’s distressing to the waterbody and the people who rely on it for stormwater collection, recreation, or community aesthetics.

Though weeds and algae can be safely managed with highly-targeted pesticides applied by backpack sprayers or professional drones, the best approach is prevention. This often starts with removing the excess nutrients that are present and eliminating the primary sources of nutrient pollution.

Nutrient-rich muck, plant matter, and debris can be physically removed from the water using a mechanical hydro-rake, which takes up hundreds of pounds of detritus in each scoop and deposits it on shore for disposal. This method helps reduce nutrient concentrations as well as restore depth and volume to the waterbody, simultaneously reducing the risk of flooding. Alternatively, stakeholders may opt for “biological dredging.” Rather than physically scooping muck from the bottom, professionals will introduce beneficial biological bacteria into the water to naturally consume it. Biologicals are very similar to the probiotics we take to keep our guts healthy.

Once nutrients are restored to balanced levels, external nutrient sources must be identified. Phosphorus and Nitrogen are found in most organic materials, including pet waste, leaves and lawn clippings, garden fertilizers, and trash—all of which get washed into our lakes and ponds during rainstorms. A healthy shoreline is the key to inhibiting these external nutrient sources. Existing erosion can be repaired with bioengineered solutions utilizing a knitted mesh containment system that is filled with organic material, helping form a strong shoreline. From there, native grasses and flowering plants can be planted on top to create a natural barrier around the lake or pond. When maintained correctly, these beneficial buffers intercept nutrients and pollutants before they can enter the water.

A healthy shoreline not only improves water quality but also helps restore aesthetic beauty to the ecosystem. This can be further enhanced with the introduction of a floating fountain. In addition to creating beautiful patterns and light displays, fountains help circulate the waterbody. They are often paired with submersed aerators that pump additional air to the bottom. Together, these systems increase dissolved oxygen levels, promoting healthier, more balanced water quality conditions.