Green Algae Control For Bluer Lakes And Ponds

Spring is upon us and with warm weather comes the threat of dreaded algae blooms. The best way to manage algae is to be proactive and focus on restoring ecological balance to your lake, pond or stormwater basin. Year round maintenance and prevention techniques will significantly help to reduce the prevalence of algae blooms. Here are some environmentally friendly algae control methods used to promote attractive and bluer lakes and ponds in your community:

First, it is important to improve your overall site by repairing areas of erosion that increases the flow of sediment into your lake or pond. The shallower the water, the warmer the water temperature gets, and the easier it is for algae to grow. Sediment is also typically loaded with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.

An overabundance of nutrients in the water can cause unwanted algae growth. Avoid grass clippings, leaves, fertilizer and other nutrient loaded organic debris from getting into your water body. During the growing season, limit mowing around your lake or pond to help establish a protective vegetative buffer. You can also create a buffer by planting beneficial vegetation around the edges of your lake or pond. This will stabilize the bank and help act as a filter to reduce the amount of nutrient build-up in the water.

One of the best practices for helping to maintain your water and prevent the accumulation of nutrients that could lead to excessive algae is to install and continuously run a submersed air diffused or floating surface aeration system. Aerators increase diffused oxygen in the water, which in turn supports and encourages the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria. This beneficial bacteria breakdown organic matter and consume excess nutrients which helps to balance and improve water quality and reduce algae blooms.

Biological augmentation can also significantly improve water quality by utilizing naturally occurring microbes and enzymes that aid in the maintenance of healthy water ecosystems. The dosing of these naturally-occurring micro-organisms boosts the natural populations in your ponds, helping to further reduce the accumulation of nutrients and organic sludge, thus removing the primary food source for the algae.

When looking to prevent algae blooms, you must focus on phosphorus, which is the primary limiting nutrient in the proliferation in nuisance and harmful algal blooms. A relatively new product, Phoslock, can permanently remove Phosphorus from the water column and lock all available phosphorus in the bottom muck on the pond bottom. By binding all available phosphorus in your pond, it is no longer available as a food source for algae blooms.

All of these strategies are centered around using techniques and products that are natural and completely safe for use in the aquatic environment, with no adverse effects on fish, macro invertebrates, or other wildlife.

There are several other less natural, but equally safe “tools in the toolbox” that can be used if algae blooms continue to pose a problem in your lake or pond. An ultra-sonic algae control device can be placed in the water and is used to rid it of algae without harming other life. Lake and pond dye can be added to a water body to help filter out UV sunlight, thereby slowing algae growth. Your lake or pond will also benefit aesthetically from a beautiful, natural shade of blue!

If all of your efforts to improve water quality and prevent algae are not enough, algaecides can be applied safely and effectively to control existing algae blooms before they get worse. However, after treatment, it is still imperative that you implement a program designed around balance and preventing algae through water quality improvements. Otherwise, you will find your lake or pond with recurring algae blooms, needing continuous treatments with algaecides. This becomes a cycle that is never ending, and must be broken!

Overall, be sure that your lake or pond is set up on a customized, annual management plan, so that naturally occurring and environmental safe practices are incorporated throughout the year to minimize algae growth, especially in the warmer months. Spring is coming, is your lake or pond ready?!

Download Free Report

Contact the experts at 888-480-5253 for all of your lake, pond and fisheries management needs. 

Since 1998, SOLitude Lake Management has been committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Services are available throughout the Eastern United States. Fisheries management consulting and aquatic products are available nationwide. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.