SOLitude Blog

Written by Industry Expert Marcus Harris, Fisheries Biologist Picture this: you walk out to your pond on a nice sunny morning and the first thing you notice is that distinctive mucky pond smell. Rotten eggs and decomposing organics fill your nose. Maybe you see mats of pond algae on the surface or your prized fish […]

Written by David Beasley, Lead Fisheries Biologist Ponds and lakes provide great opportunities for homeowners and their families to build relationships with neighbors in their community. The Homeowners Association (HOA) of Brookside in Warrenton, VA is one community in particular that deserves recognition for their efforts. They are committed to providing both kids and adults […]

Landscaping practices often cause significant impacts on the long-term water quality and algae and aquatic weed growth within a pond. Buffer management, debris falling into the pond, and poorly managed fertilizer applications are some of the practices that contribute to problems in ponds. Excessive application of fertilizer will allow for more nutrient runoff to enter […]

Written by Industry Expert, Matthew Phillips, Aquatic Biologist and Environmental Scientist Pond algae and algae blooms are probably the most common recurring problem for ponds and lakes. Sometimes it seems that they appear out of nowhere, especially as the temperatures begin to rise. Eliminating and preventing an algae bloom can seem like an impossible task […]

Written by Industry Expert Aaron Cushing, Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Fisheries Management is an integrated process of gathering information, data analysis, consulting and decision making, budgeting, and the implementation of techniques and strategies used to ensure continued productivity of the fishery or to accomplish other fisheries objectives. Because each waterbody is different and each pond […]

AS SEEN IN Virginia Turfgrass Journal, Jan/Feb 2014 and MTC Turf News, Spring 2014: Written by Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist, SOLitude Lake Management “Nutrient Management” has become a ubiquitous term in the golf course industry. Environmental concerns about excess nutrients leaching into groundwater or running off into surface waters have plagued the industry for years, and have led […]

Written by Aaron Cushing, Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Perhaps no other fish on the east coast of North America is more secretive and mysterious than the American Eel. It is very common to find eels in ponds while electrofishing. Once in the livewell, the pond owner usually says something like “I have lived here for […]

Growing professional services firm dedicated to preservation and restoration of fresh water resources is seeking qualified candidates in Northern Virginia to support our growth in the Lake Management services we offer. Candidates will be expected to perform all field work required to support our lake and fisheries management services, to include pesticide applications for the […]

From Industry Experts David Beasley and Aaron Cushing, Fisheries Biologists Are you looking for a simple way to help your pond hold more and bigger fish? Fertilizing is a great fisheries management technique that will increase the amount of fish a pond can support. Properly fertilized ponds can sustain three to four times the biomass […]

From our trusted partners at Aquafix; by President Kevin Ripp After a long cold winter, the ice that covers our lakes and ponds begins to melt and the bright spring sun begins to warm the water. The slow moving aquatic ecosystem starts becoming more active and alive. Plants, algae, and other aquatic life look for […]