The Problem:
Following the destruction of a dam by Hurricane Florence, a 40-acre private lake in North Carolina remained a wetland for four years. This led to extensive growth of vegetation in the lakebed before reconstruction of the dam and subsequent refilling by a new owner who aimed to establish a high catch-rate fishery with premium aesthetics.
Key Issues:
- Chronic low oxygen status due to decomposing bottom accumulation.
- High levels of coarse muck and organic debris.
- Historical inability to sustain a successful fishery.
The Objective:
- Accelerate the processing of coarse muck.
- Restore bottom dissolved oxygen levels to support a healthy habitat.
- Establish a high catch-rate fishery and improve water aesthetics.
The Solution Overview:
A TryMarine Custom Fishery Program was deployed over two years (June–October in year one, April–October in year two). The program specifically targeted the breakdown of coarse organic debris by restoring the lake’s bottom dissolved oxygen levels, transforming the sediment into a more homogenous, oxygenated state.
The Results:
The lake has shown significant progress toward full restoration. Dissolved oxygen logs showed dramatic improvement, with significant year over year improvement in bottom DO from 2024 to 2025. The coarse debris has visibly broken down, and the lake now supports a thriving fishery.
The Results with TryMarine Restoration
The "after" photo was taken one year after treatment began.
Organic debris beginning to break down
