Managing Large Lake Systems

SOLitude Lake Management operates a fleet of airboats and large skiffs with specialized pump and spreader systems. This equipment allows us to easily and quickly navigate a variety of aquatic systems to perform treatments and other necessary management tasks.

Harvesting is well-suited for clearing large areas of nuisance aquatic vegetation and cutting channels through dense vegetation to enhance access for swimming, boating or fishing. Harvesting is most effective for plants forming a dense surface canopy or for annual plants, like water chestnut, which reproduce from seeds.

Bathymetric mapping involves using integrated GPS and hydro-acoustic technology to create a three-dimensional model of your waterbody. This information is vital to managing water quality, aquatic plants, algae and other aquatic life in a large lake system.

Phoslock and Aluminum sulfate (alum) can be applied to remove excess phosphorus in large lakes. Each application is completed by a trained biologist or technician to mitigate the nutrient load on the system and reduce the likelihood of water quality issues such as toxic algae blooms.

Biological assessments are used to identify the types of organisms in an ecosystem, and this information is utilized when developing a lake management program. Biological assessments include aquatic plant assessments, algae assessments and benthic macro-invertebrate studies.

Comprehensive plant mapping is often the first step in assessing a waterbody and developing a lake management plan. Utilizing GPS and GIS, we take plant samplings throughout the lake and create a map that shows distribution and density of the plant populations. GPS and GIS are then used to create treatment maps, which are followed during applications.

Benthic barriers cover the substrate of a waterbody, inhibiting aquatic weed growth beneath, and are usually installed around docks and in swimming areas. Containment curtains hold suspended sediment within a portion of a lake, typically during construction activity. They’re also used to contain herbicides within a targeted treatment area to improve contact exposure time and limit the potential for non-target impacts.

Whether your lake is enjoyed for swimming, fishing or simply its scenic view, it’s important to keep the water clean and free of harmful bacteria. We offer on-site water quality testing services and also utilize satellite-based Remote Water Quality Sensing Technology, which allows us to scan large lakes quickly and inexpensively. Regular water quality monitoring and testing provides the data needed to keep your aquatic ecosystem healthy.

In order to supplement the amount of oxygen in your aquatic habitat, we design and install diffused air aeration systems. These submersed diffuser systems use a shore-based compressor to pump air to the lake, circulating large areas of water and increasing oxygen levels. These systems are the most effective at oxygenating deeper waterbodies, but can also improve circulation in beach areas and coves.

From complete ecosystem management, fish surveys, fish stocking and fish removal to permitting and regulatory compliance, professional fisheries management is your ticket to a vigorous and sustainable fishery in any size waterbody. Our fisheries biologists work closely with clients to design an individualized Fisheries Management Plan that is customized to their specific goals, budget and time-frame.