Become our Member : JOIN SFPMA TODAY   LogIn / Register: LOGIN/REGISTER

SFPMA Industry Articles | news, legal updates, events & education! 

Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry. 

HOA Parking Lot Flooded over the weekend? Now is the time to give Allstate Resource Management a call!

HOA Parking Lot Flooded over the weekend? Now is the time to give Allstate Resource Management a call!

  • Posted: Mar 27, 2024
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on HOA Parking Lot Flooded over the weekend? Now is the time to give Allstate Resource Management a call!

HOA Parking Lot Flooded over the weekend?

 

Now is the time to give

Allstate Resource Management a call!

Our schedule is filling up fast for storm drain cleanings, the rain that occurred this past weekend was a preview of what this summer will look like for your HOA community.

Contact us to talk to a Stormwater Specialist today!

Contact us at 954-382-9766 or info@allstatemanagement.com
Allstate Resource Management | 6900 S.W. 21st Court, Bldg. 9, Davie, FL 33404
Tags: ,
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
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on Top 7 Reasons to Introduce Lake and Pond Aeration by SOLitude

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.

 

 

hero image - fountains - scenic - bearon aquatics

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.

 

 

girl-looking-at-fountain

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

 

Tags:
The South Florida Leader in Resource Management – Allstate Resource Management

The South Florida Leader in Resource Management – Allstate Resource Management

Allstate Resource Management, Inc.

The South Florida Leader in Resource Management

Allstate Resource Management has over 25 years of experience in maintaining the health of lakes, ponds, wetlands, and stormwater systems. We have continued since our inception to be the leader in resource management. Our services include lake management, wetland management, stormwater drain cleaning and maintenance, erosion control, fish stocking, native plantings, debris removal, water quality, aquatic pest control, and upland management. All of our technicians are thoroughly trained and certified in order to meet the strict standards imposed by governmental agencies. This ensures that your property will be treated by only the most competent individuals who are proud of the services we render.

In addition to providing a healthy habitat, we specialize in the installation and maintenance of beautiful color lit fountains, bringing beauty and enjoyment to any lake or pond.

We also offer support services for property managers and HOA’s including educational presentations and CEU programs. Our approved courses offer continuing education credit to CAMs.

 

Allstate Resource Management, Inc. is conveniently located at:

6900 S.W. 21st Court
Building 9
Davie, FL 33317

Toll-Free: 800.270.6558
Local: 954.382.9766
Fax: 954.382.9770

Email: info@allstatemanagement.com

Our office hours are:

Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 4:00pm

Tags:
Understanding Your Lake “Our Lake Was Never Like This Before”

Understanding Your Lake “Our Lake Was Never Like This Before”

A lake is a living, and ever evolving thing. Many people think a lake is static and unchanging like a swimming pool.
Often, we hear “I’ve lived on this lake for years and it’s never been like this before. What’s going on?”
The simple answer is: You’re lake is getting older and as it matures it’s going to go through changes. This is
especially true in South Florida since most of our lakes are man made, shallow and quite new in comparison to the natural lakes that occur in other parts of the country.
To add to the situation, our lakes are connected directly to storm water drains and canals, increasing sources of input. Community lakes may provide nice scenery but their primary purpose is to catch and hold rainwater from storms so our neighborhoods don’t flood. That water carries with it anything it picks up as is flows across our properties, down the streets, and through our developments. Items such as dirt, fertilizer, grass clippings, pet waste, leaves, and petroleum products are carried into our lakes via storm flow and accompanying winds where they begin to accumulate.
Everything from lake depth to water chemistry is changed (ever so slightly) every rainy season. Year after year the subtle changes build until finally, the cumulative result becomes visually obvious. Another source for change that often goes unnoticed is the constant barrage of new weeds and plants introduced to our lakes by wildlife. Waterways provide an oasis and convenient habitat for migrating water birds. Every season they travel great distances, hopping from lake to lake; carrying new weeds and transferring them to each water body as they go.
Therefore, if the observation is “Our lake wasn’t like this 5 years ago.” The response is “That’s because it’s not the same lake it was 5 years ago.” The long standing relationship Allstate has had with many of its customers has given us tremendous experience in handling the changes that naturally occur with community lakes over time. Feel free to contact us and let our staff work with your specific waterway needs.
Author: Stephen Montgomery, Allstate Resource Management
Tags:
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
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on 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.

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.

sedimentation-pond-restoration

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.

erosion-damage-erosion-runoff

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.

Paragraph 2 - _Murky or cloudy water - cloudy pond water - how to fix - algae control - pond plant removal - dirty pond water

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.

Paragraph 3- Armored catfish burrow into...

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.

 

Tags:
4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake! by Allstate Resource Management

4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake! by Allstate Resource Management

  • Posted: Jan 23, 2024
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on 4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake! by Allstate Resource Management

4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake!

 

Regularly test the water quality.

The first step in keeping your lake healthy is regularly testing the water quality. Ensure that your lake management company is testing the water before treatments.

Use algae control.

Algae is a common problem in Florida lakes, but there are methods you can use to control it. Partnering with a professional lake company is key! A lake maintenance company can put together a comprehensive plan designed specifically for your lake. Each lake is different and each HOA property might have specific goals and aesthetics they want to achieve.

Use aeration to promote healthy oxygen levels.

Aeration is essential for maintaining healthy oxygen levels in your lake. The water can become stagnant without adequate aeration, leading to low oxygen levels and an unhealthy lake ecosystem. Use a lake aerator to keep the water moving and to promote healthy oxygen levels.

Control invasive plant species.

Invasive plant species, such as cattails or water hyacinths, can quickly take over your lake and create an unhealthy environment for aquatic life. Let our lake specialists work with your HOA to help control and eradicate invasive plants/

Contact us today:

info@allstatemanagement.com or 954-382-9766

 

 

 

Tags:
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
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on 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

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.

Stakeholder goals - on the job- team picture - meeting with clients - event - solution

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.

family fishing - pond fishing - lake fishing - hobby fishing - trophy fishery - fish services - fish stocking - electrofishing - fish feeders - fish prey - grow big fish - bass fishing - pond liming 9

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.

stormwater inspection lake and pond management - stormwater drain - rock wall - regulatory permitting - john phelps - de - 4

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
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on Learn how to restore depth and prolong your lake’s lifespan with proactive solutions.

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.

hydraulic dredge - dredging - sediment removal - muck removal

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.

 

Tags:
A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

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.

drone-technology-3

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.

EXPLORE OUR KNOWLEDGE BANK
4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake! Regularly test the water quality! by Allstate Resource Management

4 “Tricks” to a Healthier Lake! Regularly test the water quality! by Allstate Resource Management

The first step in keeping your lake healthy is regularly testing the water quality. Ensure that your lake management company is testing the water before treatments.

Use algae control.
Algae is a common problem in Florida lakes, but there are methods you can use to control it. Partnering with a professional lake company is key! A lake maintenance company can put together a comprehensive plan designed specifically for your lake.
Use aeration to promote healthy oxygen levels.
Aeration is essential for maintaining healthy oxygen levels in your lake. Use a lake aerator to keep the water moving and to promote healthy oxygen levels.
Control invasive plant species.
Invasive plant species, such as cattails or water hyacinths, can quickly take over your lake and create an unhealthy environment for aquatic life. Let our lake specialists work with your HOA to help control and eradicate invasive plants.
Contact us today: info@allstatemanagement.com or 954-382-9766
Tags: , , ,