TOXIC ALGAE & LAKE VEGETATION SERVICES

Pond & Lake Vegetation Control Options

Believe it or not, most aquatic plants growing in lakes and ponds can be beneficial for the local wildlife. The roots of the plants can provide nutrients for the fish, turtles, crawdads, and other animals including migrating geese and ducks. Aquatic plants like wildflowers and water lilies are planted in some systems to help regulate the biology of the water feature and help add additional natural filtration to the by detoxifying chemicals and removing excess nutrients. Unfortunately with too much aquatic vegetation (algae or other water plants) can cause issues with the natural biology of the pond or lake.

There is a fine line between well-managed water vegetation and overgrowth. We suggest any large or small water feature to have some sort of vegetation as it allows dissolved oxygen, and spawning areas for wildlife like fish and waterfowl. But when the water plants cover over 25-30% of your water feature, the result in dead and decaying vegetation can emit offensive odors (similar to that of a rotten egg) as well as discolored water which both can be unpleasant for locals, fisherman, boaters, and swimmers alike. Believe it or not, having a water feature with dense vegetation can result in smaller fish sizes as well as the plants practically consume any growing-space for wildlife and can deplete the oxygen supply.

Toxic Algae Control Options

One cannot physically or mechanically remove floating, blue-green algae. The only way to remove the toxic algae is to replace the water entirely with water which does not contain the algae bloom. For large ponds and lakes, we understand this is not entirely possible as there could be potentially millions of gallons to be replaced. For this we suggest alternative practices such as a non-toxic dye (which reduces the amount of sunlight penetration) or using that of a common and safe herbacide. We suggest only an experienced lake restoration company handle adding herbacides or dyes to your pond or lake. Typical herbacide management includes Copper Complexes, Sodium Carbonate Peroxy-Hydrate, Alkylamine salts of Endothall, which only a licensed aquatic maintenance company should be handling.

Invasive Weed Control Options

There’s typically 3 methods of aquatic plant control. 1. Mechincal 2. Chemical 3. Biological. We’re able to offer all 3 methods of aquatic plant and algae control needed. Typically we like to see the property first to be able to determine which method is best suited for your pond or lake specifically. Including if your water feature is meant for animals, as a storm-water retention basin, or purely for decoration but surrounded by people (if an HOA, Apartment Complex, or similar) Unfortunately, there is not one answer that will solve all issues including HABS (harmful algae blooms) or cutting back invasive cattails, lakweeds, lake-grass, or similar pond plant. Each has it’s own method of growth and management which we include in our bids.

Lake Grass Control & Management

Similar to that of your lawn or garden, lakeweeds and lake-grass need to be managed and trimmed back accordingly. There are different methods of reducing your lake-grass overgrowth, including via chemicals, weed razor / rake, benthic barriers (blanket added to your sediment layer) or dredging (via mechanical methods)

Some ponds and lakes can prohibit the use of herbicides or dyes, even mechanical lake-grass or weed removal isn’t an option. Alternatively “Triploid Grass Carp” aka Amur can be used to help control the lakegrass or lakeweed vegetation if out of control and not able to use other more traditional methods. These fish have a large appetite and love to indulge in submerged aquatic plants and certain types of algae. More often than not, a permit will be required for adding such fish to your lake or pond, some states have banned this method entirely so we suggest searching locally first if needed.

Aquatic Cattail And Phragmite Removal Services

Cattails and phragmites are perhaps one of the most common types of aquatic plant in warmer / humid temperaments. These aquatic plants can overtake any small lake or large pond in a matter of weeks if left unmanaged. Cattails can grow in water levels of up to 4-feet high, and can reach a height of up to 10 feet. Timing is of the most importance with these plants as systemic herbicides need to be applied earlier than later, in later summer / early fall months.

Trimming and managing these aquatic plants can be burdensome for any property management or landscape company, therefor we’ve setup a service specifically set on handling cattails and aquatic plants alike.