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3 Reasons Your Lake Management Plan Isn’t Working by SOLitude

3 Reasons Your Lake Management Plan Isn’t Working by SOLitude

Lakes are dynamic ecosystems that are sensitive to their surroundings. As environmental conditions evolve, so does your waterbody, which means your current management plan may become ineffective.

Learn the 3 reasons your management plan may stop working and how to prevent it.

 

3 Reasons Why Your Lake Management Plan Isn’t Working

If you own or manage a lake or pond, you’ve probably observed gradual, sometimes undesirable changes. Despite responsible management, unforeseen issues can unexpectedly arise, causing complaints and significant challenges for those overseeing them. The fact is, lakes and ponds are dynamic ecosystems that are very sensitive to their surroundings. Even with a well-tailored management program in place, things change. If you find that your current plan isn’t yielding the desired results, it’s crucial to identify and address the underlying issues.

Here are three common reasons why your lake management plan may not be working as intended:

1. Your Lake Management Plan Is Outdated

One of the primary reasons that your lake or pond is responding differently to your management plan is that it’s outdated. Though your management program was initially tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of your waterbody, over time, your goals may change, budget constraints may shift, or alterations to your property could impact the aquatic ecosystem. For example, if you initially designed the lake for aesthetic purposes, but now wish to utilize it for fishing, the management approach needs to evolve accordingly.

Even seemingly minor changes may have big impacts. For example, removing a nearby tree can increase sun exposure, raising the risk of depleted dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Perhaps an invasive species was introduced to your waterbody, leading to shoreline erosion or obstructed stormwater equipment. Or, modifications in landscaping practices, such as switching maintenance companies or starting a garden, could cause new pesticides or fertilizers to enter the ecosystem. These products can significantly alter the natural chemistry of the water, as well as the dynamics within the food chain.

Addressing An Outdated Plan

To address changes of any degree, it’s crucial to regularly reassess and update your management plan to align with your current needs and environmental conditions. This process often begins with water quality testing to take a closer look at characteristics like dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, and the presence of algal toxins or pollutants. From there, many different solutions can be deployed to help restore balance. These may include nutrient remediation products, beneficial bacteria, pond fountains, or lake aerators.

Through an ongoing management plan, professionals conduct testing and visual surveys on a routine basis, allowing them to identify potential issues early. This proactive approach allows for adjustments in management strategies before problems escalate.

2. Climate Change

The impact of climate change on lakes and ponds cannot be underestimated. Increasing summer temperatures lead to increased water evaporation, potentially causing waterbodies to shrink and lose depth. If not addressed, a waterbody can shrink until it’s no more than a puddle. Costly dredging will be required to reset the waterbody to its original depth and volume.

Water evaporation also exposes shorelines to harsh environmental elements, leading to increased erosion or collapse. Harsher winters and tropical storms may exacerbate the damage, posing additional challenges for shoreline stability.  Erosion contributes to many water quality issues, such as muck development, cloudiness, foul odors, and heightened risks of flooding. Additionally, eroded shorelines can pose hazards and liabilities. In severe cases, a complete shoreline restoration may be required using bioengineering techniques and materials.

These changes may further threaten the delicate balance of an ecosystem. Diminished water depth affects aquatic habitats and organisms by depleting dissolved oxygen levels and increasing temperatures throughout the water column. Fish, in particular, are sensitive to these fluctuations and fish kills may become more likely as a result.

Seasonal weather conditions are escalating nationwide, but Northern states have experienced some of the most pronounced changes. The growing season is starting earlier and lasting longer, extending the window for nuisance weeds, algae, and toxic cyanobacteria to proliferate.

To counteract the effects of climate change, lake management plans must incorporate adaptive strategies that consider the evolving environmental conditions and their impact on the water.

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3. Urban Development and Nutrient Pollution

The encroachment of urban development poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater runoff introduces a cocktail of contaminants into the water, transporting pollutants from impermeable surfaces like parking lots and sidewalks. Trash, fertilizers, animal waste, and chemical products may cause nutrient levels to become more concentrated. These conditions foster the growth of nuisance pond weeds and toxin-producing algae that are harmful to humans and deadly to fish, dogs, livestock, and other animals.

In response to nuisance growth, stakeholders often resort to short-lived solutions such as EPA-registered herbicides and algaecides. However, these treatments only address the symptoms and not the root cause. To tackle this issue effectively, lake and pond management plans should incorporate comprehensive stormwater management strategies.

 

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Top 7 Reasons to Introduce Lake and Pond Aeration by SOLitude

Top 7 Reasons to Introduce Lake and Pond Aeration by SOLitude

  • Posted: Mar 27, 2024
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Top 7 Reasons to Introduce Lake and Pond Aeration

underwater-aeration submersed diffused aerationPond aeration is the simple, yet effective, process of increasing oxygen levels in a pond and can not only greatly enhance the aesthetic beauty of a pond, but can also improve the natural systems taking place beneath the water’s surface.

Aeration creates destratification of the water column, as lakes and ponds typically consist of stratified layers separated mainly by different temperatures and oxygen levels. Natural resource and environmental managers are often challenged by problems caused by lake and pond stratification.

 

 

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Boost Oxygen Levels with Pond Fountains or Aerators

Through surface aeration with floating fountains, surface aerators, or bottom-diffused aeration, with a compressor pushing air through weighted diffusers, the main purpose of aeration is to increase and stabilize the amount of dissolved oxygen in the entire water column. Aeration systems can have a widespread effect on many different aspects of pond and lake health and can be operated by solar or windmill power if running electricity to your waterbody is not feasible.

 

 

Here are 7 Reasons to Add a Floating Fountain or Pond Aerator

  1. Aeration can help balance water quality, thus reducing water quality problems faced by lake and pond owners and helping “clean” the water of cloudiness and odors.
  2. Submersed aerators help circulate the water column, introducing oxygen throughout.
  3. Aeration helps reduce the amount of free-reactive phosphorus in a pond through oxidation.
  4. Floating fountain aerators are aesthetically pleasing, providing distinction and splendor.
  5. Aeration decreases mosquito activity by creating ripples and moving water.
  6. Aeration provides an oxygen-rich environment in the pond, promoting a healthy habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
  7. Aerators help reduce the overall accumulation of organic sediment on the bottom of the pond.

 

 

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Create Healthy, Beautiful Water with Fountains and Aerators

Implementing the use of an aeration system is a proactive, and cost-effective approach to controlling a variety of challenges when it comes to pond and lake management. Aeration can drastically improve the health of an aquatic ecosystem. With more balanced water quality, troublesome and hazardous issues like algae and aquatic weeds are less likely to develop.

If a healthy pond is a goal, then aeration is one of the first steps one should take toward achieving a beautiful and balanced ecosystem.

SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty and preserve natural resources.

SOLitude’s team of aquatic scientists specializes in the development and execution of customized lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management programs. Services include water quality testing and restoration, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, shoreline erosion control, muck and sediment removal and invasive species management. SOLitude partners with homeowners associations, golf courses, private landowners, businesses and municipalities. SOLitude Lake Management is part of Rentokil, a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information, visit SOLitude Lake Management at solitudelakemanagement.com, and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contact SOLitude from their membership page on SFPMA Members Directory

 

Learn more by watching the Educational Video

Let’s Talk Fountains & Aeration: An Interview with Our Aeration Expert

March 21, 2023 11:00 am

We often talk about the importance of fountains and aeration, but what exactly is aeration and what does it do for lakes and ponds that makes it so vital? With…

WATCH RECORDING

 

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Learn how to identify erosion and explore the effective methods to repair damage. by SOLitude Lake

Learn how to identify erosion and explore the effective methods to repair damage. by SOLitude Lake

  • Posted: Feb 14, 2024
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Learn how to identify erosion and explore the effective methods to repair damage.

Identifying Signs of Shoreline Erosion

What Does Shoreline Erosion Look Like?

Shoreline erosion is one of the most difficult, if not impossible, problems for pond owners to control. And while a new shoreline can be engineered, proactive management is much easier and more cost-effective. To keep your shoreline healthy for as long as possible, it’s important to understand the signs of shoreline degradation – some more obvious than others.

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Shrinking appearance

Imagine digging a small hole in your yard. What would it look like a month later? How about a year? Chances are, it will look indistinguishable from the surrounding earth because it has filled back in. Your pond undergoes the same process, though it may take decades before you notice that its capacity to hold water has decreased since the first time you saw it.

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Steep drops, islands, and peninsulas

Deep ruts and steep, crumbling drop-offs are an obvious sign of erosion, but the appearance of “peninsulas” and irregular contours along the bank may be an early clue of degradation. The formation of islands, often covered in emergent plant growth, can also indicate that the waterbody is unevenly filling with sediment.

Muck and flooding

Once sediment has eroded into a waterbody, it tends to stay there. Over time, it will become incorporated with pollutants, animal waste, and decomposing plant matter, creating a thick muck on the bottom. As depth and volume slowly decrease due to the build-up, there is a greater risk of flooding during heavy rainstorms.

Exposed pipes or root systems

As water levels drop and shoreline deterioration worsens, it’s not uncommon for roots and stormwater pipes to become visible. In addition to being aesthetically displeasing, this could result in significant property damage and leave property owners liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

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Cloudy water

Even if the shoreline appears to be in good condition, solids suspended in the water column could be a sign of erosion. Though this is common after it rains, as stormwater picks up sediment when it flows into the water, prolonged cloudiness may be cause for concern.

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Burrowing animals and sinking earth

Burrowing animals like muskrats, Norway rats, invasive armored catfish, and some mole species are both a sign and a cause of shoreline erosion. Not only do the channels they dig weaken the shore and increase the risk of collapse, but they also make it easier for water to escape.

Monitoring for Erosion Damage

Erosion is a natural phenomenon that occurs in every waterbody, but human activity can significantly speed up the process. Partnering with an aquatic expert to implement proactive solutions is essential to maintain a stable shoreline.

In addition to regular monitoring, professionals recommend cultivating a buffer of native vegetation around the entire perimeter of a waterbody, allowing them to grow approximately knee-high to lessen the force of rainwater as it washes over the shoreline. Beneficial buffers also have complex root systems that help hold soil in place.

 

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5 Questions to Ask When Setting Long-term Lake & Pond Management Goals by SOLitude

5 Questions to Ask When Setting Long-term Lake & Pond Management Goals by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 23, 2024
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5 Questions to Ask When Setting Long-term Lake & Pond Management Goals

Winter seems to be the time of year that we all think about goals. Whether it’s assessing how successful we were at achieving previously made goals or setting new milestones to achieve, the long cold nights seem to make us all reflect a little more. This time of year is also perfect for evaluating and setting long-term goals for lakes, ponds, and stormwater facilities. As aquatic resource management consultants, these goals are critical to deciding the who, what, when, where, why and how of managing each client’s waterbody.

Setting and exceeding long-term goals for freshwater resources requires the understanding and discussion of many factors. Each waterbody is unique, and each client is unique. In order not to get lost, focusing on the following five factors can make your goals measurable and, ultimately, achievable:

1. What type of waterbody is being managed?

This question seems to be very simple, but it is deceptively complicated. For example, some people live in communities with stormwater management ponds that are the focal point of the community. Even in cases like this where pond aesthetics are important, pond maintenance services still must focus on ensuring that stormwater functions are working properly. Alternately, a drinking water reservoir is going to be managed much differently, as is a recreational lake or mill pond.

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2. Who are the stakeholders?

A bio-swale in a retirement community and a 300-acre lake with public access are going to have different stakeholders and decision makers. Making sure the correct people are involved in goal setting is important to consider before a pond management plan is designed. Often, there are many stakeholders with different goals for the same waterbody, so it’s important to take into account each group’s expectations when developing a lake management plan.

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3. What is the waterbody going to be used for?

Just as there are different types of waterbodies, there are many different uses of waterbodies. A private farm pond can be managed for waterfowl and fish habitat. A lake association may want swimming and recreation to be the primary use of their waterbody. Deciding the primary uses of the lake, pond or stormwater facility is another primary driver of successful goal setting.

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4. What are the regulatory requirements and restrictions?

Each jurisdiction has a unique set of regulations. In order for a long-term pond management plan to work, understanding which strategies can and cannot be used is fundamental to goal setting. For example, triploid grass carp are an excellent natural aquatic vegetation management option in some states, but are illegal to stock in others. Working with a professional lake manager will help ensure that you are in compliance with any local, state or federal regulations.

5. What is the budget for the waterbody?

Budget is often the factor in the speed at which certain goals can be attained, but it does not have to be the limiting factor in success or failure of a goal. A smaller budget can be used creatively to systematically tackle the small hurdles on the way to those bigger milestones. As a rule of thumb, practicing proactive pond management is much more cost effective than addressing water quality problems that have gotten out of hand.

A professional lake management company understands the importance of collaborating with clients to address and answer these five questions early on in the management process. From there, long-term goals that are measurable and achievable can be set. With time and patience, goals like reducing phytoplankton algae cell counts or phosphorous levels by a specified amount can be achieved.

Goal setting should begin with the first conversation. Through planning and communication, a diverse lake and pond management firm works with each client to create goals that guide the strategies and techniques applied to their unique aquatic ecosystem. Ultimately, a successful pond management program considers attainable goals, as well as the ever-changing variability of Mother Nature and our human impact.

 

Learn how to restore depth and prolong your lake’s lifespan with proactive solutions.

Learn how to restore depth and prolong your lake’s lifespan with proactive solutions.

  • Posted: Jan 21, 2024
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Why is My Pond Drying Up?

Why Is My Pond Drying Up?

We’ve all experienced the surprises and pain points that come with aging. Year after year, we undergo changes that impact our health and physical functions. This process is a natural and inevitable part of life that not only affects humans and animals, but also lakes and ponds. And just like people can expedite their rate of aging through unhealthy diets or lack of exercise, our water resources can age faster when exposed to excess nutrients, erosion, invasive weeds, harmful algal blooms, and pollution. As these factors compound, a waterbody will slowly fill in with muck, sediment, and debris, resulting in a loss of depth and volume. Over the course of 10-20 years, a pond can recede—or, seemingly, dry up—until it resembles nothing more than a marsh.

Once a waterbody has reached this point, dredging is one of the few solutions available to restore it to a healthier and more functional condition. Dredging is the process of physically removing hundreds or thousands of pounds of sediment and organic materials that accumulated over time.

Depending on the unique needs, budget, and characteristics of a property, professionals may recommend one of two styles of dredging:

 

mechanical-dredging

Mechanical Dredging

During mechanical dredging, a waterbody is completely drained to allow full visibility of the bottom. A long-reach excavator is used to scoop out excess materials, which are then removed from the site using semi-trucks and trailers.

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Hydraulic Dredging

Hydraulic dredging does not require a waterbody to be fully drained. Instead, hydraulic dredges use a specialized tube to pump water and materials into a holding tank for filtration. The filtered water is then returned to the waterbody.

Though dredging is highly effective at resetting an aged waterbody, it is one of the largest expenses a community will ever face. Stakeholders should also be prepared to take swift and ongoing action to cultivate their new aquatic ecosystem once the project is complete. Without responsible management, they may see their water resource prematurely return to its prior condition.

 

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A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
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A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody

Navigating Your Lake Management Journey

As any lake owner or manager knows, maintaining a waterbody is hard work. At best, you may experience a few hiccups every now and then like small mats of algae or cloudiness. At worst, you may face toxic blooms of cyanobacteria, severe erosion issues, or flooding. Achieving the lake or pond of your dreams is not a linear process; it’s a journey. Whether you’re new to water management or well into your quest, it’s never too late to reevaluate your trajectory and make sure you’re taking the safest and most efficient route toward your waterbody goals.

Identify your goals and stakeholders

In order to achieve the goals you’ve set for your lake or pond, it’s important to visualize them. Maybe you desire a small backyard pond for swimming, fishing, and kayaking with friends and family. You may need a stormwater pond that efficiently collects rainwater while providing aesthetic beauty. Perhaps you oversee a large lake or drinking water reservoir that requires safe, clean water for the public. With the support of an experienced Aquatic Expert, HOA managers, property owners, municipal leaders, golf course superintendents, and other decision-makers can develop a detailed roadmap tailored to their unique needs and budget, as well as to the one-of-a-kind characteristics of their waterbodies.

testing-water-quality-in-lakes

Conduct lake water quality testing

One of the most important steps when navigating your journey is establishing baseline knowledge about your aquatic ecosystem. Professionals conduct visual surveys and advanced water quality testing to learn about the physical and chemical properties of an aquatic ecosystem. Parameters like dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrient levels, pH, and turbidity provide valuable context by allowing professionals to identify potential imbalances, predict future problems, and develop a timeline to implement short- and long-term management solutions.

Plan ahead to prolong your lake’s lifespan

In lake and pond management, every waterbody has a countdown. Over time, sediment, debris, animal waste, and other organic materials accumulate at the bottom of all lakes and ponds. As an ecosystem becomes more shallow, it loses its capacity to hold water, which can increase the risk of flooding during storms and severely damage shoreline areas. Eventually, dredging services will be needed to physically remove these materials and restore the waterbody to its original depth and volume. Though this is a natural occurrence, it can be expedited by human activities such as construction and urban development, agriculture, and recreation. Luckily, by planning ahead, stakeholders can cruise past these dead-ends, ensuring a smoother journey.

Proactive management helps you stay ahead of water quality issues

If dredging is a dead-end street on the roadmap towards the waterbody of your dreams, proactive management solutions are shortcuts. By implementing preventive measures and sustainable practices, you can sidestep the need for extensive restoration efforts, as well as smaller roadblocks like nuisance weeds and algae. Shoreline management, nutrient mitigation, biological bacteria, fountains and aeration, and ongoing water quality monitoring can help you cultivate a healthy, beautiful, functional waterbody – and enjoy it for as long as possible.

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Elevate your pond management plan with new technologies

Furthermore, advanced technologies and solutions like professional drones, bathymetric mapping, and electrofishing can serve as navigational tools on your management journey. These technologies help stakeholders better understand depth, underwater features, and even fish populations, allowing them to use their time, attention, and resources more efficiently.

Achieve your ideal waterbody with help from experts

Lake and pond management is never smooth sailing. Water is in a constant state of change, impacted by weather conditions, wildlife, land use, and countless other factors. Navigating these complexities requires a proactive approach that incorporates as much knowledge and innovation as possible. With an experienced Aquatic Expert as your guide, you can enjoy each milestone on your journey while keeping your goals firmly on the horizon.

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Why Autumn Is a Pivotal Time for Your Waterbody – Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your lake or pond! Check out these fall maintenance tips

Why Autumn Is a Pivotal Time for Your Waterbody – Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your lake or pond! Check out these fall maintenance tips

  • Posted: Oct 21, 2023
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Should You Implement Lake and Pond Maintenance Services In the Fall?

As the transitional period between the summer and winter seasons, Autumn is a pivotal time to reflect on the challenges that your waterbody faced during the warmer months and contemplate your goals for the future. Autumn also provides an optimal window to implement maintenance services and water quality testing strategies that will help set your aquatic ecosystem up for success in the coming year.

 

Set Your Lake Up for Success This Fall

Autumn is a time of transition and no doubt, your waterbody will experience changes that manifest when spring and summer return. But stakeholders can shape these outcomes through an integrated management program that’s thoughtfully tailored to their unique property and budget. As the warmer months come to an end, an Aquatic Specialist can help property stakeholders assess the health and physical condition of their waterbodies and strategize a clear path to achieve their goals for the following year.

 

 

Address Aquatic Weeds & Muck with Mechanical Solutions

Weeds and pond algae are some of the most common problems that plague aquatic ecosystems during the warmer months. Though property owners and managers may be happy to see them disappear late in the season, the die-off of terrestrial and aquatic plants can impact the physical and chemical composition of the water, creating problems that seemingly lie dormant until warm weather returns. Mechanical harvesting and hydro-raking can be used to physically remove floating and submersed plants to prevent accumulation and muck development at the bottom.

Target Decomposing Pond Plants with Natural Biological Bacteria

Physical removal of pond weeds is effective, but plant fragments often remain. Biological bacteria play an essential role in the decomposition of remaining organic materials. They are found naturally in lakes and ponds, but can also be supplemented through a process called biological augmentation. These beneficial bacteria are aerobic, which means they require oxygen to carry out their metabolic processes.

 

Maintain Healthy Dissolved Oxygen Levels with Fountains & Aerators

But as the days grow shorter and cooler, dissolved oxygen (DO) can become depleted, reducing the efficiency of this process. Introducing floating aeration equipment or a submersed aerator can help maintain balanced DO levels, which facilitates decomposition and curbs the accumulation of nutrient-rich muck over the winter months. For stakeholders that already own a fountain or aerator, Autumn is an appropriate time to have units inspected and repaired to help prolong the performance of the equipment.

 

 

Balance Lake Nutrient Levels and Enhance Water Quality

Nutrients like phosphorus are an underlying cause of nuisance pond weed and algae growth. Phosphorus is naturally occurring in the water but is also transported by sources like lawn fertilizers, pet waste, trash, and agricultural runoff. Autumn is a good time to take action against nutrient imbalances and prevent explosive weeds and algae when the spring season arrives. If water quality tests reveal elevated phosphorus levels, products like Phoslock¹, Alum, and EutroSORB² can help target excess nutrients in waterbodies of all shapes, sizes, and uses. A professional can recommend the best solution based on the characteristics of your waterbody

 

Read the Full Article includes a larger list of services for your Lakes. 

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7 Pond Maintenance Tips from SOLitude to Complete This Fall

7 Pond Maintenance Tips from SOLitude to Complete This Fall

  • Posted: Oct 03, 2023
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7 Ways to Prepare Your Waterbody for Success This Autumn

Following the hot, humid weather that accompanies summer, the fall season brings a sigh of relief with less intense sunshine and cooler temperatures. Just as the trees reflect the changing of the seasons, your water resources can also experience change. Fall is a perfect window to complete lasting maintenance. It’s important to stay on top of lake and pond management to facilitate fall recreational activities and to ensure you can enjoy it to its full potential come spring.

1. Rehabilitate eroded shorelines:

As algae and vegetation growth subside, there are many opportunities to tackle management projects that could not be accommodated during the summer. Erosion around shorelines often becomes more visible and this short window before winter is perfect to introduce a bioengineered shoreline using SOX Solutions. Depending on the size of the affected area, SOX can be installed within a few days or weeks to anchor sediment in place. It can then be planted with grass or sod to restore aesthetic beauty to the landscape around your waterbody. The knitted mesh system’s strength and integrity ensure the transformation is safe and long-lasting.

1. Rehabilitate Eroded Shorelines (before) - resized1. Rehabilitate Eroded Shorelines (after) - resized
2. Manage nuisance and beneficial plants

2. Manage nuisance and beneficial shoreline plants:

In addition to addressing dangerous erosion issues, the shoreline should be examined for woody vegetation and invasive plants like Phragmites australis, both of which should be physically removed to prevent further destabilization and potential damage to stormwater equipment. Native buffer species should be trimmed and the clippings should be removed from the site. Likewise, falling leaves, grass clippings, and other fall materials should be cleared to ensure they do not enter the water, decay, and create harmful water quality imbalances that could encourage algae growth come spring. Plant matter is also known to clog stormwater equipment and floating fountains.

3. Restore valuable depth

3. Restore valuable depth and volume:

If erosion and plant decay have accumulated over many years due to lack of proactive management, it may be time to restore depth in affected areas with hydro-raking. A hydro-rake is a floating barge with a mounted backhoe that can gather up to 500 pounds of muck in each scoop and deposit it on the land for disposal. Because a hydro-rake works from the water, it does not impact delicate shorelines. Fall is a perfect time for hydro-raking projects so the accumulation of leaves, branches, and decomposing plant matter can be removed before they negatively impact water quality conditions later in the year.

4. Execute your aeration plan

4. Execute your aeration plan:

That brings us to aeration. If your lake or pond has a fountain, now is the perfect time to schedule an ‘oil and seals’ service, which should be performed every three years. For those who live in colder climates, you may desire removal and winter storage for your fountain. If so, this should be completed by early December. In slightly warmer climates, fountains and submersed aeration systems can be left in the water to reduce ice formation and prevent stratification (the distinct layering of water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels), which can cause fish kills. And new solutions like Oxygen Saturation Technology can also prevent fish kills by introducing necessary oxygen to anoxic layers of the water without causing thermal stratification.

5. Collect data & identify...

5. Collect Data & Identify physical changes in your waterbody:

Proactive management is crucial to preserve the long-term health and beauty of your water resources. However, no two waterbodies are exactly the same and benefit most from a customized plan. Data is an important tool to help learn what your lake or pond needs to thrive. Just as water quality testing provides insight into the chemical components of the water, it is also beneficial to examine the physical components of the water resource.

Bathymetric mapping is the go-to tool to “see” below the surface and uncover the unique depths, contours and structural components at the bottom. When completed every 3-5 years, bathymetric studies can be compared to track physical changes over time. Other types of mapping can reveal total surface area and sediment accumulation, making it easier to create a timeline and budget for future dredging needs.

Mapping can take place any time of year, but it is often prioritized during the fall when the valuable data is used to facilitate planning or permitting needs and inform budget projections.

6. Stock winter sport fish

6. Stock winter sport fish:

While most sport fishing tends to subside as temperatures decline, angling activities do not have to end. Autumn provides the perfect backdrop to stock rainbow trout, which thrive all fall and winter. To do this successfully, it’s important to ensure water temperatures have consistently reached below 70 degrees. Once introduced to your waterbody, trout will thrive over the next few months until temperatures rise back up in the spring.

Stocking a lake in the fall is one of the easiest things owners can do to create some fish diversity and to add excitement to their fishing experience. Trout are especially fun to fish and can transform a community pond from just an aesthetic feature to an exciting meeting place for adults and children alike.

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7. Rebalance water quality:

In addition to trout stocking, waterbodies prized for their year-long fishing experiences can benefit from pond liming. In acidic ponds, liming is an important method for correcting the associated water quality issues and improving fish productivity. Fall and winter are the recommended timeframes to complete these applications as they can’t always be prioritized during the growing season. The process is delicate, so it’s important to consult with a freshwater management professional to implement a water quality assessment and determine if liming is right for your waterbody.

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Takeaways:

Though year-round annual management is an important part of pond ownership, fall is a great time to implement a variety of techniques and strategies that aren’t always feasible during the warmer months. It’s also a time to consider your goals for the following year and begin the planning required to achieve them. Your professional lake manager can help you throughout the process and ensure you are on the right track to maximize your budget and the enjoyment of your waterbody for years to come.

 

Find out more about SOLitude Lake Management. Members of SFPMA helping clients with their water bodies all over Florida and in Many other States. 

 

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