Despite the beauty, recreational space and natural wildlife habitats that our nearby waterbodies provide, lakes and ponds are often plagued by various ailments that can detract from the aesthetics, health, and functionality of their aquatic ecosystems. The following are a few responses to common questions often asked by those interested in lake and pond management.
Why Is Our Pond Green?
Without proper water quality testing and analysis, it can be difficult to determine the exact causes behind a green pond.
The green you’re seeing may be algae. While algae look similar to some aquatic plants, they lack true roots, stems, and leaves. They can be present in one of two forms, or both:
Microscopic algae: Single-cell plants suspended within the water column, usually resulting in a “pea-soup” look. Microscopic algae, specifically cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), are capable of producing toxins, which can be detrimental to human and wildlife health.
Filamentous algae: Has a “stringy” look and often creates large mats on the water’s surface or along the bottom.
Additionally, some common floating green plants that are often mistaken for algae can also cover a waterbody’s surface, including:
- Watermeal (Wolffia sp.)
- Duckweed (Lemna sp.)
- Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
Excessive pond algae growth is usually the result of increased nutrient input, such as fertilizer or agricultural runoff; however, other causes are possible. A professional lake or pond manager can help accurately identify the source of the problem and develop an effective management plan.
Is the Pond Safe for Swimming? How Can We Tell?
The best approach for validating safe water is periodic water quality analysis. Professional water quality consultants can identify problematic conditions within the aquatic ecosystem and help determine the best management strategy.
Some visual “red flags” include:
- Unusual water color (green, soupy-looking, or otherwise abnormal)
- Foul odors, which may indicate harmful conditions
- Fish kills or wildlife impacts, signaling the waterbody may be unfit for use
Aquatic plants may also present risks when dense and high in the water column, as they can entangle swimmers or boat propellers.
Although signs of unsafe water are not always obvious, good judgment and observation can offer useful clues. If uncertainty exists, contact a lake or pond management professional for guidance.
How Do We Get Rid of Algae?
Algae blooms can be the result of various factors, but are usually due to excessive nutrient loading from fertilizers, sewage, and animal waste.
Identify the Root Cause of Algal Blooms
Identifying and quantifying nutrient sources, both internally and externally, is the first step in developing a successful algae management plan. Appropriate proactive management should follow to ensure long-term results.
Implement Algae Management Solutions
The original nutrient source should be addressed, if feasible, to minimize the potential for future algae issues. Nutrient mitigation treatment can be performed by a licensed professional to remove available nutrients from within the waterbody.
In some cases, installation and use of an aerator can aid in algae growth mitigation. Aeration systems increase available dissolved oxygen within the water; this supports the breakdown of organic matter and consumption of excess nutrients present, potentially discouraging algae growth. Pond aeration systems are available as submersed diffusers or as floating fountain features.
Algaecide treatments conducted by licensed applicators can occasionally be necessary, in combination with other efforts, to overcome an algae issue as well.
How Do We Treat Invasive Aquatic Weeds Like Milfoil?
Milfoil is a non-native, invasive species that affects many lakes and ponds across the United States. It has feather-like leaves and thrives in a wide range of aquatic habitats.
Other common invasive species include:
- Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
- Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
- Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
- Brittle naiad (Najas minor)
- Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Common reed (Phragmites australis)
Aquatic weed management options include:
- Aquatic herbicide treatment (most common)
- Mechanical removal (harvesting or hydro-raking for select species)
- Bottom barriers (site- and species-specific use)
Note: Mechanical harvesting is generally not recommended for milfoils due to spread via fragmentation.
Why Is Our Waterbody Murky?
Murky, brown, or tan water often indicates suspended sediment in the water column.
Common causes include:
- Sediment runoff after heavy rain events
- Shoreline erosion
- Low water levels in the waterbody
- Algal blooms (not always green; can be red, brown, or golden)
Recommended management actions for cloudy waterbodies:
- Inspect shoreline erosion points
- Reduce stormwater and sediment input
- Conduct bathymetry studies every 3–5 years to assess sediment accumulation
In some cases, hydro-raking or dredging may be necessary to restore depth.
Our Pond Is Filling In – What Can We Do?
Sediment and organic matter often accumulate within waterbodies over many years. Hydro-raking is available as an option to regain depth by removing plant material and unconsolidated bottom sediment.
A hydro-rake is essentially a floating backhoe with a York-rake attachment and can remove nuisance vegetation and bottom debris from depths up to 10 feet.
The removed material is placed onshore to de-water before its eventual removal to a composting site. Removal of plant material and unconsolidated bottom sediments reduces pond nutrients and maintains open water habitat.
Hydro-raking offers an affordable alternative to dredging, which can be a tremendous expense for a community, while potentially being more site-specific depending on the project.
Our Pond Has A Lot of Cattails – How Can We Manage That?
Cattails can either be beneficial or a nuisance, depending on the size of the waterbody where they are located. If in scattered patches along the shoreline of a larger lake, cattails can provide great habitat for wildlife and are often encouraged.
However, contiguous dense and encroaching growth can be a nuisance and a potential threat, especially to remaining open water habitat in small shallow ponds.
Cattails can be managed through physical removal using a hydro-rake or aquatic herbicide applications by a licensed professional.
What Are the Permitting Requirements for Lake and Pond Management?
Permit requirements differ throughout the United States, but with any lake or pond management project, it’s safe to expect some degree of permitting.
It is important to keep this in mind while considering appropriate options and always consult your lake or pond management specialist as well as your local municipality and state environmental agency before beginning any work.
How Can I Properly Manage My Pond?
There are various management options for ailments impacting our lakes and ponds, but the most important element is prevention through diligent, proactive attention to your waterbody.
It is crucial to seek out professionals to conduct regular inspections, accurately identify problems, and develop an ecologically responsible management plan for the aquatic ecosystem.
Early detection of problematic aquatic plants and conditions can help prevent irreversible imbalances in your lake or pond while enhancing its health and natural beauty.
Professional Pond Management Services
SOLitude Lake Management is committed to providing full service lake and pond management solutions that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Our services include lake, pond and fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, mechanical harvesting, hydro-raking, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and restoration, bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, biological assessments, habitat assessments, invasive species management and nuisance wildlife management. Services, consulting and aquatic products are available to clients nationwide, including homeowners associations, multi-family and apartment communities, golf courses, commercial developments, ranches, private landowners, reservoirs, recreational and public lakes, municipalities, parks, and state and federal agencies. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.
