In addition to serving as a space for peace and natural solitude in the face of coronavirus (COVID-19), our lakes, ponds and wetlands are an investment. One of the best ways to enjoy and protect these essential resources is by ensuring the progress you have made towards your freshwater goals is not reversed. Ongoing proactive management through the upcoming spring and summer months will prevent serious and costly problems from developing that could be detrimental to the health of the waterbody, as well as the surrounding community:

For homeowners or communities with waterbodies, the lake or pond is often the most tranquil facet of your property, and water quality is one of the most important aspects of a healthy ecosystem. If water quality is compromised, it often leads to unsightly conditions and an unbalanced aquatic ecosystem. Though herbicides and algaecides can be important tools to utilize when control is needed for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) or invasive vegetation infestations, many property owners wish to avoid pesticide use around the home.

Thankfully, environmental planning companies are constantly evolving their proactive management solutions. New techniques, equipment and technologies are making managing your pond easier and more cost-effective to implement:

Written by Industry Expert Emily Mayer, Aquatic Biologist 

Each winter season, municipalities stock up on salt to battle icy roads across the country. Every year during these harsh snow days, an estimated 22 million tons of de-icing salt is applied to major roads and highways throughout the U.S. As snow and ice melt, these road salts then enter our freshwater lakes, ponds and waterways through stormwater runoff. So, what are the environmental effects of road salt on our freshwater resources?

According to developing studies conducted by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, scientists predict that within the next 50 years, our lakes and ponds are susceptible to becoming

Written by Industry Expert J. Wesley Allen, Environmental Scientist & Regional Leader

Winter seems to be the time of year that we all think about goals. Whether it’s assessing how successful we were at achieving previously made goals or setting new milestones to achieve, the long cold nights seem to make us all reflect a little more. This time of year is also perfect for evaluating and setting long-term goals for lakes, ponds, and stormwater facilities. As aquatic resource management consultants, these goals are critical to deciding the who, what, when, where, why and how of managing each client’s waterbody.

Setting and exceeding long-term goals for freshwater resources requires the understanding and discussion of many factors. Each waterbody is unique, and each client is unique. In order not to get lost, focusing on the following five factors can make your goals measurable and, ultimately, achievable:

Written by Industry Expert Joe Holz, International Sales Manager at Kasco Marine

The winter season is here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize and enjoy your waterbody. If you live in a region that experiences freezing temperatures, it’s worth considering a de-icer to help protect docks and fountain equipment, and keep water open for increased winter safety and oxygenation benefits. Never heard of a de-icer? Below are some common uses.

Shallow Water De-icing

A de-icer helps prevent pond ice formation throughout the winter by bringing warmer, denser water from the bottom of a waterbody upward to the surface. By positioning a de-icer near the area of greatest depth and mounting it to angle back toward the targeted areas of your waterbody, you can successfully circulate the warmer water in to shallower areas. To do this in tidal waters, you will need to split the difference in water depth, so the de-icer is in shallow water at low tide and deep water at high tide. Another option is to tie your de-icer to a boat or floating dock and allow the boat/dock and de-icer to rise and fall with the tide.

SOLitude Lake Management wants to be certain that your lake or pond is prepared for the coming year. With this in mind, we recommend that you consider the following during the winter months:

• Review your lake and pond budget and replacement reserve funds to ensure that funds are available for bathymetry to determine if and when you will have a need for hydro-raking or dredging.
• Evaluate your waterbody to determine if you need to add aeration to meet your management goals and objectives for the new year, and don’t forget to schedule annual maintenance and service for your existing fountains and aeration systems this winter.

Your floating fountain helps to maintain the balance of your pond or lake with constant aeration while providing a pleasing view throughout summer months. As we head into winter, now is the best time to consider scheduling critical maintenance and “TLC” for your fountain, such as an oil and seals maintenance service.

This important fountain maintenance task will ensure that your seals are working as designed, preventing any water from leaking into the unit, and that that your pond fountain is running with clean oil. The oil and seals service includes performing an internal inspection of the power unit (motor and related parts), making any necessary adjustments, replacing any worn parts, and changing the oil, rotary shaft seal, and all related parts. Changing the oil in your fountain works much like changing the oil in your car: the cleaner the oil, the smoother it runs.

Written by Industry Expert Paul Dorsett, Fisheries Biologist

I could hear his excitement when Mike called requesting a consultation on plans to build ponds and lakes on the ranch he intended to purchase. Upon arrival at the ranch to evaluate the potential for several 1- to 20-acre impoundments, and after consulting a topographic map, I quickly realized Mike’s excitement was about to be severely diminished. The entire area he wanted to develop into scenic lakes and trophy bass fisheries was fed by over 1,600 acres of watershed. This watershed may be suitable for a 150-acre lake in this area but for the relatively small impoundments Mike envisioned, this watershed would have resulted in unmanageable fisheries with expensive and difficult dams to build and maintain. In short, his lakes would have flushed like a Texas tube chute every time a sizable rainfall event occurred.

From fishing to hiking to skating, outdoor recreation doesn’t stop throughout the winter. Many of these activities take place on or around frozen lakes and ponds. Like any other time of year, it’s important to ensure proper safety steps are taken near the water. SOLitude Lake Management, an environmental firm that specializes in sustainable lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management strategies, encourages extra caution around frozen waterbodies this winter season:

 
SOLitude Lake Management wants you to be prepared for the Autumn season and all of the wonderful cool weather it brings. With this in mind, we recommend you consider the following tips as you enjoy the colorful fall months on your lake or pond:

• Fall is a good time to think about repairing and maintaining the areas around your lake or pond. Be sure to trim the buffer zone and make certain that it is free of woody vegetation. Repair any eroded areas around your waterbody before they become major issues. Erosion repair can easily be done in the fall months when you can plant and seed the areas to allow for soil stabilization.

• Schedule a bathymetric study as well as a structural inspection of your lake or pond. This will allow for proper budgeting for