Proactive Pond Management Value

If you are concerned that your pond is failing, it is probably because you are observing the undesirable result of some kind of imbalance, like algae and aquatic weed growth or dead fish. These are signs that you may have a significant problem. But even if you aren’t experiencing a problem and just want to know the state of your waterbody, water quality tests are the best way to understand the chemical makeup of the water and evaluate the potential for problems. Water quality testing is the backbone of any long term integrated lake or pond management program. Knowing the chemical and biological makeup of the water, and understanding the potential impacts to the environment is vital. The key to success is utilizing the information from water quality tests to make changes that bring balance to your system.

Water quality testing should be part of an Annual Management Plan to ensure you are staying ahead of any water quality problems that may arise. When using SOLitude’s professional lab, you will receive detailed reporting on the water quality issues present and what is causing them. Once the source of the problem is identified, our professionals can create a custom plan that helps you achieve long-term goals while staying in your budget. It’s important to mention that our water quality lab professionals are trained to ensure we are getting the most accurate results from the way the water samples are collected to creating a plan that best fits your waterbody’s current state.

It is really important to make sure that realistic expectations are established. Sometimes it may take a few years to get back on track and begin implementing proactive management strategies. This is especially true if you are working with limited resources. It may be best to start with a few key things each season. For instance, you may have to reactively manage algae and aquatic weeds with algaecide or herbicide applications for a few seasons while you budget for an aeration system or a shoreline stabilization project. This time frame may be much longer if the project is something very costly like dredging.

Yes, we are experiencing great success with the nanobubble technology in improving water quality and overall health of the waterbodies undergoing nanobubble treatments. For instance, one of our trials in Florida had significant results after 72 hours. All waterbodies are different, however, and depending on the size of the nanobubble unit, the current state of your waterbody and management solutions in place, nanobubble results may vary (i.e. some may see quicker or slower results).

There are many things you can do to support a healthy fishery and a few of them may help slow the aging process or possibly even delay dredging. Aeration is extremely beneficial for fish as it helps increase oxygen concentrations through the entire water column. This normally increases the area that fish can utilize as well. In addition, submersed aeration systems increase the oxygen levels at the bottom of the pond where organic matter, including muck and fish waste, accumulates. In higher oxygen concentrations bacteria are more efficient at breaking down this material, which reduces accumulation over time.

If you want to speed up the process of the microorganisms naturally occurring in your waterbody, we can supplement these populations with the pellet form of the beneficial bacteria. With regular applications at high rates, beneficial bacteria can actually help reduce the organic portion of the sediment at the bottom of the pond, a process sometimes referred to as “Biological Dredging.” When considering which proactive solution would benefit your fishery, be sure to consult with one of our fisheries management professionals.

Shoreline plants like tall grasses and cattails can be effectively managed in several ways. Systemic herbicide products can be used to reduce existing growth and mitigate regrowth in future seasons. These products combined with beneficial bacteria and enzymes can even speed up the decomposition process of the treated material.

Physical removal such as cutting or hydro-raking can also be very effective depending on your goals. However, it is important to consider what will take the place of these plants when they are removed. Although cattails, Phragmites and other nuisance plants are known to take over and impact the use of a waterbody, they do serve as a vegetative buffer for runoff and can even uptake nutrients from the water. Sometimes after treatment or removal, the waterbody may suffer from erosion, increased turbidity or even algal blooms. It’s important to have a plan in place to address this after any shoreline plants are removed.

There are several solar-powered aeration systems on the market, and for some situations they can be just as effective as a hard-wired system. A particularly large waterbody could require multiple units, which may be cost prohibitive in some situations, and of course this presumes the site receives adequate sunlight to power the system. I have several clients who use solar-powered systems on small to medium sized ponds quite successfully.

As with any electrical device, there is some maintenance and occasional repair required. A fountain is an electrical device you submerge in water, so there is an inherent problem with that system that needs to be mitigated against. The motor of these systems typically uses a rotary seal and oil that need to be replaced periodically to keep water out of the electrical components. Also, the impeller, debris screen or nozzle may periodically become clogged and need to be cleared. There are also several electrical components that may periodically require replacement (capacitors, breakers, contractors, etc.).

A submersed aeration system keeps all of the electrical components on dry land, so there are some issues fountains have that aerators don’t, but they typically have air filters that require periodic replacement, and may also use carbon vanes that are meant to be replaced every few years.

Both systems are mechanical devices prone to the same wear and tear as any machine and should therefore be monitored and maintained accordingly. We offer annual maintenance services for both types of systems in which a technician will periodically inspect your system to keep on top of necessary maintenance and repairs and help prevent catastrophic failures.

Biochar bags could be effective for a few months or even a few years depending on the nutrient pollution present. If there are higher concentrations of excess nutrients or other contaminants present, more bags may be required or they may need to be replaced more often. When incorporated into an annual management contract, we typically install them in the spring and remove them at the end of the season or when they are replaced the following year. The “used” bags can be cut open and the material can be used as a soil amendment to improve water sequestration, soil microbe health, and help fertilize plants.

It can be helpful to apply aquatic dye early in the season to reduce aquatic plant growth. However, it is important to maintain concentration or shade of color throughout the season. Aquatic dye products are broken down by UV light and can be diluted from precipitation or other water exchange. Depending on the plant species and density of growth, other eco-friendly solutions may be more effective, including benthic barriers, low dose or reduced risk herbicides, or physical removal options.

Yes, dredging can be completed with a phased approach. We often offer this approach so stakeholders can fit dredging projects into their budget plans for their waterbodies. We recommend having mapping and sediment surveys conducted beforehand to help guide the planning of a dredge project. This mapping survey is called a bathymetric study and it produces very valuable information that is crucial for most phased dredging approaches. The study will produce 3D imagery of the lake or pond bottom and showcase areas where the sediment has accumulated. From there, dredge plans can be made to target areas of most concern.