Virginia Lake Management

Seasonal Turf Practices and Your Pond

2012-02-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Dave Ellison, Aquatic Biologist

Landscaping practices often cause significant impacts on the water quality and plant and algae growth within a pond. Buffer management, debris falling into the pond, and poorly managed fertilizer applications are some of the practices that attribute to problems in ponds. Excessive application of fertilizer will allow for more nutrients to enter the pond, creating a source of energy for algae to grow.

When applying fertilizer you should make sure it is done responsibly to ensure that the product is utilized by the grass and not washed away. One of the first things that you should do is read the label on the product you are applying. Labels on fertilizer bags show three numbers. The first number lists the amount of nitrogen in the bag, the second is the amount of phosphorous, and the third lists the amount of potassium. A soil test could be performed to determine what fertilizer would work best for your lawn. Phosphorous free fertilizers often work well on most lawns. Phosphorous is often the growth limiting nutrient for algae and when lower amounts of phosphorous are present, algae typically has a difficult time growing.

Application of fertilizer does not have to be done to the edge of the water. Excess fertilizer will likely accumulate at the water’s edge and this can be avoided by using a rotary spreader to spread adequate amounts of fertilizer to the grasses near the edge of the pond. Application can often be done just once a year for many types of grasses with fall being the best time for application. This season is often best because the lawn will frequently need nutrients to recover from the stress of the summer months and the turf will be able to become stronger going in to the winter and the following year.

Many people like to apply fertilizer during the spring growing season, but this is not needed. Spring is often better to concentrate on the prevention of crabgrass and other weeds and your yard will thank you in the coming months. The fertilizer can sometimes get washed away and run off with spring rainfalls before grasses have established themselves for the growing season.

One of the most important things to remember is to prevent spills and spreading the product in to drains or ditches that flow into ponds. Runoff is a major source of nutrient input for ponds and the added input from fertilizer will further degrade the water quality in your pond. Responsible lawn practices are not only beneficial for your lawn, but also will prevent long term pond problems.

SŌLitude Lake Management® Welcomes Brent Weber – Environmental Scientist

2012-01-27T13:57:00.001-08:00

SŌLitude Lake Management, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the mid-Atlantic and surrounding states,is pleased to welcome Brent Weber, Environmental Scientist, to their staff. Brent will be based in the Company’s Newport News, Virginia office and will be primarily responsible for lake and pond maintenance work in the Hampton Roads, Richmond, Central and Western Virginia Regions. He will help to serve SŌLitude’s ever-growing client base in these regions.

Brent brings a strong enthusiasm to the SŌLitude team that will surely carry over to his clients and his work. He graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. degree in Integrated Science and Technology with a concentration in Environment, coupled with a minor in Environmental Science. While at James Madison University, his studies and projects surrounded ecological conservation, sustainability, and the preservation of the Shenandoah Valley’s natural resources – especially as they relate to water systems. Brent’s senior thesis project involved the study and construction of a 425 sq. ft. green roof on campus, and still stands as a valuable learning resource for other students. As a student, Brent was active in the Environmental Management Club, and also volunteered with the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Brent grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, and has always been interested in nature and ecology. He has past experience in landscaping and horticulture, and has served as a groundsman for an arborist company.

SŌLitude Lake Management is a leading lake and pond management company offering everything to maintain aquatic features. They provide lake, pond and fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, installation of fountains and aeration systems, bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, habitat assessments, nuisance wildlife management and more. They currently serve Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey & New York with Fisheries Management and Aquatic products being available nationwide.

SŌLitude Lake Management® Welcomes John Phelps – Environmental Scientist

2012-01-27T13:49:00.001-08:00

John Phelps has more than a decade of experience with Water and Land Management throughout the tri-state area. After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, John went on to serve as the Environmental Wetland Specialist for Mercer County New Jersey’s Mosquito Control Division. While there, John managed the Division’s water-management program undertaking multiple stormwater management enhancement projects, including fish stocking and beaver-control projects with NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and working with various Home Owners Associations to resolve poor-drainage issues. In 2006, John moved on from his civil servant duties to become an Environmental Scientist/Pennsylvania Sewage Enforcement Office in the private sector. John furthered his professional training by completing the Rutgers University Wetland Delineation Program and the Penn State Hydric and Advanced Soil Courses. John worked on major land-development projects involving stream realignments, which required United States Army Corps of Engineer Joint Permits, macro invertebrate studies and wetland mitigation. John has also been a team member for Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys, like the Bog Turtle and Spadefoot Toad, and has conducted many wetland delineations as well as local, state and federal environmental-impact permit applications.

Just prior to joining SOLitude, John managed Stormwater Facility Compliance Programs for JCM Environmental and then for Landmark Engineering, two leading environmental and engineering companies in Delaware. Spotlight projects include sediment forebay installation to modify an existing basin, sand filter and bio-retention basin remediation and 2-acre mitigation installation.

Year-round Fountains

2012-01-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

Your fountain is one of the greatest assets to your pond and community. It provides an attractive display of water and lights year-round while also providing your pond with essential aeration and circulation. As you get further north where temperatures tend to be much lower in the winter season, ponds freeze much faster and the ice gets much thicker. This colder weather can prevent the year-round benefits of running the fountain. Many communities even have to remove their fountains from the water until warmer conditions return.

In theory, if a fountain continues to operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the water around and under the fountain would never freeze because it would be constantly moving. In practice, this can sometimes be just too risky. If the wind blows one direction for an extended period, ice could start to form. A plastic bag, leaves, or debris, can clog the fountain and impair the output enough to let the encroaching ice solidify and damage the motor seals. These possibilities and other rare events can make running the fountain in the winter a possible liability.

There is one solid and tested solution for keeping a fountain running through the bitter months of winter regardless of how cold it gets. Bottom diffused aeration systems make a perfect companion to a fountain. These aeration systems transport air from a land-based compressor to diffuser disks placed at the bottom of a pond. They then produce a conical stream of bubbles vertically approaching the surface. When placed directly under a fountain, this constant stream of air will prevent the water directly around the fountain from freezing all winter. This coupling of aeration systems will keep your beautiful fountain running all year long, and will also provide a dramatic increase in water quality due to the supplemental benefits of bottom diffused aeration. In a sense, “You can have your cake and eat it too!”

By: Greg Blackham, Aquatic Specialist, SOLitude Lake Management

What’s that Snake in the Water?

2011-12-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist

Back in the days when I worked for a pond construction company, one of my crew members told me that he needed some help identifying a snake that they had found on the job site. He said it was a water snake, and thought it was a cottonmouth. I asked if he had taken pictures of it, but instead he presented me a burlap bag with the snake inside. Its head was smashed, and its body had been neatly cut into several pieces with the blade of a shovel. As an ecologist and lover of wildlife, the site of the demolished snake left me heartbroken and speechless. It was a large, beautiful and HARMLESS northern watersnake. All I could think of to say was, “That is NOT the way to identify a snake!”

This case of mistaken identity is not unusual. There are some very vague similarities in coloration and pattern between northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) and cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and they also somewhat resemble copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix). However, when seen side-by-side, the snakes do not actually look that similar. And unlike cottonmouths and copperheads, Northern watersnakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans if left alone. Unfortunately, though, misidentification results in more watersnakes being killed each year than venomous snakes.

Unless you live in the southeastern corner of Virginia near the Dismal Swamp or farther south, then it is unlikely that you will see a cottonmouth in the wild. They are not found in other parts of Virginia or anywhere farther north. These venomous semi-aquatic snakes are also known as “water moccasins”. When threatened or harassed, they will coil up and open their mouths wide to expose their fangs and the white interior of their mouths, which is why they were given the name “cottonmouth” - although hopefully you will not have the opportunity to witness this phenomenon up close! Again, though, they only exhibit this behavior when approached, and would much prefer to use their venom for hunting prey than for defending themselves against humans.

The other unfortunate look-alike for the northern watersnake is the copperhead. However, copperheads are terrestrial snakes, and prefer upland habitats such as rocky, forested areas to aquatic habitats. Their range is more widespread than that of the cottonmouth, and they are found throughout most of the eastern U.S. as far north as Massachusetts. Copperheads are responsible for many of the snakebites to humans reported each year, but they are rarely fatal. Most bites occur when people accidentally step on or touch the snakes because they are so well camouflaged with their surroundings. When disturbed, copperheads emit a musk that smells like cucumbers.

Northern watersnakes are not venomous or aggressive. They are beautiful! They are brownish-gray snakes with broad blotches and crossbands on their backs with varying degrees of red, yellow, and white. The juveniles are brightly colored, but the colors become more subdued as the snakes age. They are frequently seen basking on rocks or stumps near lakes, rivers and streams. They are active both during the day and at night, and eat small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and even small mammals. They have been known to “herd” tadpoles with their body and eat them. They will flee from confrontation if given the chance, but may bite repeatedly if cornered. The bite will bleed a lot because of the anticoagulant saliva, but is not poisonous. Again, though, even a cute little chipmunk will bite a human to defend itself!

Watersnakes can be easily distinguished from cottonmouths and copperheads by the shape of their heads. The poisonous snakes have triangular shaped heads that are much wider than their “necks”, whereas the watersnake has a round head that’s narrower than its body. Cottonmouths and copperheads are pit vipers, and have discernable pits on top of their noses – though you might not want to get close enough to observe that characteristic! The venomous snakes also have yellow eyes with vertical slits for pupils, similar to cats’ eyes. Watersnakes have round eyes with round pupils. And when seen in the water, a cottonmouth swims with most of its back protruding from the water, while the watersnake swims with only its head visible.

If you are lucky enough to see a snake in or near the water, it is most likely a northern watersnake. The best thing to do is to quietly observe it from a distance if you’re interested, or walk the other way if you’re scared. It will not chase you or strike at you unless it feels threatened. And always remember, the best way to learn about wildlife is to arm yourself with knowledge, not the tip of a shovel!

SŌLitude Lake Management® Welcomes Brad Harris and Announces Raleigh, North Carolina Location

2011-06-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

SŌLitude Lake Management celebrated the opening of its new Raleigh, North Carolina office in 2011. With an ever-growing presence and client base in the North Carolina market, SŌLitude found it necessary to expand their business to include an operation center in Central North Carolina. This will enable the firm to better serve clients in the region as well as neighboring areas of Virginia.

To serve the growing client base in the North Carolina Region, SŌLitude Lake Management® welcomes Brad Harris, Forestry Biologist, who will act as the Regional Manager for the North Carolina Region. Brad was educated at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks, New York and NC State University where he studied Forest Management. After college, Brad pursued a career in the landscape industry where he began as a laborer and worked his way to managing a multi-million dollar landscape maintenance division. He became stormwater BMP in 2008, which sparked his interest in water quality. Brad embraces the significance of working with property owners and managers to help protect, restore and maintain watersheds, BMP’s, ponds and lakes. His work ethic and philosophy will be an asset to the SŌLitude staff and to all who have the pleasure to work with him.

All of the "scoop" on Blue-Green Algae!

2011-06-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

If you are a science fanatic like most of the SŌLitude Lake Management staff, then you will really enjoy this “fact sheet” about Blue-Green Algae aka Cyanobacteria. Click here to unlock a world of knowledge!

Does Cyanobacteria cause ALS?

2011-06-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Could it be that algae can have an effect on your health?? Our friends at Blue Water Satellite shared this very informative article which contains some important findings. Click here to read the article.

SOLitude Lake Management Welcomes Stephanie Bates, Environmental Scientist

2011-05-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

SŌLitude Lake Management^®, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the mid-Atlantic and surrounding states, is proud to welcome Stephanie Bates to their staff. Stephanie joins the staff as an Environmental Scientist and will be based in the Company’s Fredericksburg, Virginia office. She will help to serve SŌLitude’s Northern Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia clients.

Stephanie brings an infectious enthusiasm to the SŌLitude staff that is a pleasant addition to any workplace. Originally from Orange County, Virginia, Stephanie is a graduate of Christopher Newport University where she also earned her Masters in Environmental Science. Her great passion for the environment makes her an instant fit among her colleagues and her presence is welcomed as Solitude’s Northern VA, Maryland, and Pennsylvania client bases continue to grow.

SŌLitude Lake Management^® currently serves Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey and New York.

Commerce Systems Group: Unique Software Solutions for the Lake Management Industry

2011-05-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Our own Kevin Tucker, President of SOLitude Lake Management, describes his experience with Commerce Systems Group and their unique software solutions for the Lake Management Industry in this must-see video! Click here to see!

SOLitude Lake Management Announces the "Rockin' The SOL-O" Contest

2011-04-28T12:54:00.001-07:00

SOLitude Lake Management is celebrating Spring with a great contest. So Everybody - pull out your SOLitude Lake Management T-Shirt and take a really cool picture. Upload it to our Facebook page and you may just win one of FIVE $100 VISA gift cards!

Click Here to View the Details! Good luck!!

Bass Overpopulation?

2011-03-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Well, one way to find out is to ask professionals to evaluate your pond and perform a population survey and analysis on your lake or pond. This often times includes the use of electrofishing technology to gather accurate sample data on the existing population of fish by size and type. When it comes to bass, there are some good rules of thumb you can go by...click on the link below for additional information.

www.solitudelakemanagement.com/articles/Bass%20Overpopulation%20Tables.pdf

Northern VA Community Features Article by SOLitude's Shannon Junior

2011-03-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist and SOLitude Lake Management Staff member recently contributed an article that was featured in the March 2011 Loudoun Valley Estates Community newsletter. Please click to read Litterbug Alert.

SOLitude Lake Management Shows They Have “Heart” Through Volunteer Efforts

2011-03-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

On Valentine’s Day, while many were spending time with loved ones, staff members from SŌLitude Lake Management were spending time doing what they love – helping others! The SŌLitude folks spent their afternoon volunteering with the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula where they assisted in the “Backpack Program”, a program offered in twenty Title 1 elementary schools weekly. Volunteers in this program fill “backpacks” with donated nutritional items that children take home so that they have food for the weekend. In the afternoon, SŌLitude staff members were able to stuff hundreds of “backpacks” and make it possible for the Foodbank to meet their delivery schedule for the coming week. Since the Foodbank started in 1986, they have been able to distribute over 92,417,674 pounds of food to neighbors in Newport News, Hampton, Gloucester, Mathews, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Surry, James City County and York County.

SŌLitude Lake Management looks forward to a continued partnership with the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula and they look forward to the next scheduled volunteer date. Not only does the staff get a great feeling from knowing they are helping others, but it is great fun too!

When not volunteering, the staff at SŌLitude Lake Management helps to make the firm an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related services. Serving VA, NC, MD, DE, PA WV, NJ, and NY, SŌLitude Lake Management employs a staff of highly qualified environmental scientists, aquatic biologists, fisheries biologists, and related professionals.

“The Foodbank is a charitable organization that solicits, receives, inventories, stores, and distributes purchased and donated food and grocery products to charitable agencies that directly help the needy.” (www.nnfoodbank.org)

NPDES??? Shannon Junior Explains.......

2011-03-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

Our own, Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist, was published in the March 2011 SEVA-CAI e-Newsletter describing the impacts of NPDES. Check it out by clicking here.

Ants in Your Pants?

2011-03-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

By Ethan Chappell, Aquatic Specialist

Meteorological spring is officially here. This means the beginning of the growing season. It is important to have all of your aeration and pond maintenance equipment in tip top shape. Spring rains and warming weather also means that insects are back on the move. Now is a good time to get ant baits in your electrical panels or begin to plan a trip from the exterminator. Electrical components are magnets to ants. Just a few burnt ant bodies between contactors can render your fountain, compressor or transducer inoperable. It usually requires a simple fix, but a bit of prevention can avoid the problem all together. In the coming summer your pond will benefit from minimizing the down time on the devices installed to help maintain a healthy and beautiful body of water.

Solitude Lake Management Welcomes Gavin Ferris - Ecologist

2011-03-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

SŌLitude Lake Management, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the mid-Atlantic and surrounding states,is pleased to welcome Gavin Ferris, Ecologist, to their staff. A welcomed addition to their ever-growing presence in the Delmarva Region, Gavin will be based in the firm’s Delaware office which is responsible for serving the Delaware, Maryland, Eastern Shore of Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania areas.

Gavin Ferris joins the SŌLitude Lake Management staff following a Master’s program in Applied Ecology at the University of Delaware. During his undergraduate career at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Gavin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. His undergraduate education focused on aquatic community ecology and behavioral biology, including internships at Harvard Forest and Mountain Lake Biological Station. As a graduate student, his research focused on invasive plant ecology and nutrient management within streamside forests.

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Gavin has always been fascinated with forests, streams, ponds, and the organisms with them since childhood. The study of ecology became his life’s focus while participating in the national Envirothon academic competition through high school, and has continued to fuel his desire to develop and promote stewardship practices that are beneficial to both people and the environment.

The Adventure of Ice Fishing…..

2011-02-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

By David Beasley, Fisheries Biologist

When most people think of the sport “Ice Fishing” they often think of crazy people voyaging out onto an unsafe, freezing cold, snowy lake. Although these images may be accurate, there is a side to the sport of which many are unaware. Ice fishing has evolved into a much different activity in the last 10-15 years. Current technology and innovations make ice fishing both more enjoyable and more successful.

Fishing in freezing conditions can be brutal and is not ideal for even the avid ice fisherman. Modern portable ice huts (shanties) and propane heaters allow fishermen to keep air temperatures in the 60’s while having the flexibility to easily move to different locations to find active fish. Many ice shanties can be set up within seconds and are capable of comfortably holding 2 or more fishermen. Many shanties have comfortable seats, making the outing much more relaxing; and, with a couple people fishing together, the sport allows for a social atmosphere. Current fish finding technology allows you to locate fish and understand how they are behaving providing you a better understanding of how to catch them. Using ultrasonic sound waves and a colored screen (also known as a flasher) fishermen know exactly how deep the water is, if there are fish nearby, and where their lure is located. The units are very accurate, letting you understand where the fish are and how they are reacting to your lure and your fishing technique. Sometime fish species such as Walleye are very picky and they will actually put you lure in their mouth to determine the texture of the bait, but never pull on the line to make you aware that your lure is momentarily sitting in their mouth. Unfortunately for the fish, these modern fish finders show that the fish is within inches of your line, allowing avid fishermen to hook into fish that would normally have never been caught.

These fish finders make fishing very exciting, allowing an individual to catch dozens, even hundreds of fish over the course of a day. Staying entertained while also staying warm makes the sport very enjoyable. Other tools like power augers (used to drill holes through the ice), snowmobiles and hand held GPS units allow fishermen to travel to and set up at prime fishing locations quickly, providing more fishing time and far less time exposed in the elements.
For the avid ice fishermen, most days are spent catching far more fish than most would believe while relaxing in a comfortable, warm environment in the middle of a freezing cold lake, often miles from civilization.

SŌLitude Lake Management Welcomes Matthew Phillips – Aquatic Biologist and Environmental Scientist

2011-02-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

SŌLitude Lake Management®, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the mid-Atlantic and surrounding states, is proud to welcome Matthew Phillips to their staff. Matthew joins the staff as an Aquatic Biologist and Environmental Scientist and will serve the Company’s Northern Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia clients.

Matthew joins SŌLitude Lake Management® with an impressive educational background. He completed his Master’s degree at Bemidji State University in Minnesota where he received an M.S. in Biology. His Master’s thesis and research focused on aquatic invertebrates in the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Matthew had the wonderful privilege to present his thesis at the annual Mississippi River Research Consortium meeting in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Prior to attending graduate school, Matthew completed his undergraduate education at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with a degree in Environmental Science. After graduation he worked with an engineering firm where his work primarily focused on the long-term remediation of contaminated sites that contained underground storage tanks. He also had the opportunity to work in paper mills, superfund sites, and an archeological excavation.

Matthew will be based in SŌLitude Lake Management®’s Fredericksburg, Virginia office. In addition to his extensive field experience, Matthew also brings experience as an instructor which will be valuable in both client and staff training.

SŌLitude Lake Management® Recycles!

2010-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

As a leader in environmental stewardship, SOLitude Lake Management participates in container recycling programs each year. We collect, clean and store all of our used plastic containers and contribute them to shredding and recycling programs. A mobile plastic shredder and recycling team recently visited our Northern Virginia office to collect and shred our containers, which is a critical first step in the recycling process.

Our recycling efforts are not limited to plastic. We have worked diligently to reduce paper usage by implementing many paperless business systems, and recycle 100% of the discarded paper that we do use. Likewise, we re-use or recycle all cardboard packaging, wooden pallets and other similar materials.

Most importantly, we have aligned ourselves with premium vendors who share our commitment to environmental stewardship, and who themselves have implemented similar principles in their business operations. We at SOLitude Lake Management work diligently everyday to provide the highest value in water resource management while limiting our environmental footprint, and working to protect our natural resources for many generations to come.

Company hopes name change will float

2010-11-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

Solitude Lake Management and Virginia Lake Management were featured in The Hampton Roads Business Journal, which reads in part:

Making a major change within a company is not a move that should be taken lightly. Especially if the decision changes what clients are most familiar with - your name.

Kevin Tucker, 38, the owner and president of Solitude Lake Management, mulled over the idea for quite a while before he decided to rename Virginia Lake Management, which had expanded to quite a number of clients outside of the state.

"Its something that had been on my mind for two to three years," Tucker said. "You don't want to lose your name recognition, so changing our name was something we did very methodically.

"You don't want to lose the people that have already been good customers, because they don't recognize you or can't find you, because the name is different. We didn't want to lose what got us here in the first place."

Still, the name change, which happened Nov. 1, was a risk - although a well-planned one - that the company was ready and willing to take.

SLM, which primarily manages water quality for fresh-water lakes and storm-water ponds, does water quality monitoring and testing, takes care of algae and invasive aquatic vegetation, and also works with fisheries.

Click here to read the entire article.

Virginia Lake Management Fountain Installation in Nellysford, VA

2010-11-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Visit Stoney Creek Golf Course in Nellysford in Nelson County, Virginia, and you'll see a beautiful fountain enlivening the pond by the entrance. This installation was completed by Virginia Lake Management and stands testament to the great work we do and can do for your business complex, or residential community.

View the online photo album of the official dedication ceremony. If you are interested in similar services for your lake, including fountain installation and repair, GPS mapping, and goose control, call on us at 866-697-2584 today.

Why is Blue-Green Algae Harmful?

2010-11-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

In recent news, instances of blue-green algae contaminating lakes in upstate New York, Rhode Island, and even as west as Kansas City have been reported. To the naked eye, this substance (also known as cyanobacteria) may not always be visible. However, if the problem is neglected and the algae blooms, one is likely to find the surface of a lake or pond thick with a greenish layer of scum. While some might find the colors aesthetically pleasing, blue-green algae is a threat that must be eliminated.

How the Algae Can Harm Your Lake

The key word to note here is bacteria. Cyanobacteria is a toxic substance that relies on photosynthesis for growth. Its presence in the water, because of the various toxins produced, have proven harmful to aquatic life and humans. Water affected by blue-green algae is not safe for swimming, cooking, or consumption - even if you boil it first. If you maintain fish stock, it is strongly recommended to apply an algaecide, or have a lake management professional take care of the water for you.

If you need more information on the first steps to take in ridding your water of harmful toxins, Solitude Lake Management can arrange a test of your water quality and suggest the proper animal-safe chemicals to use to ensure a clean environment. Call 888-480-LAKE to learn more.

Aquatic Weed Control

2010-10-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Fisheries Management Services

2010-10-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

To maintain proper balance within pond and lake ecosystems, evaluation and assessment of fish populations can be of significant value. The Virginia Lake Management team of professionals has the educational background and maintains the qualifications and accreditations necessary to assist you in making key decisions on fisheries management. Contact us today at 888-480-LAKE to learn more.

Commercial Lake Management Opportunities

2010-10-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a video we shot in the Hampton/Newport News area at the Power Plant shopping center. Virginia Lake Management current handles the lake management for the commercial area, and if you've been over there you'll find it's a very serene environment. Our goal in lake management to ensure clean water and surroundings, while controlling waterfowl and keeping aquatic and plant life safe.

Lake Mapping for the Mid-Atlantic and Beyond

2010-10-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Virginia Lake Management Company offers the most technologically advanced lake mapping services available on the market, providing the most detailed and highest quality mapping products you can buy, for a very affordable price. Virginia Lake Management is proud to be designated by the Mapping Network as an exclusive Lake Mapping Partner. Equipped with the very latest in GPS surface mapping, bathymetry, 3-D contour imaging, aerial and fly-over video resources and virtual underwater swim-view 4-D mapping, we are able to add layers of depth to the information our customers seek. Whether you are tracking sedimentation, planning for dredging, looking to improve your fishery, or simply looking to understand the overall size, volume, and bottom contour of your pond in order to make good management decisions, we have the tools you need to be successful. Click below for our video to learn more.

Meet the People Behind Virginia Lake Management

2010-10-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

We are very fortunate to have on staff some of the best aquatic biologists and ecologists in the country. Our top team of lake management experts have kept lakes and ponds in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond clean and viable for many years. You'll meet some of our great team members here.

Virginia Lake Management - About Us

2010-10-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

This last week we finally set up our YouTube channel to give everybody a better, more visual idea of what we do and can do for you. Here is one of our introductory videos.

West Nile Virus Spotted in Virginia Beach

2010-09-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

The Virginian-Pilot has reported today that chickens and mosquitoes in the Virginia Beach and Pungo areas are reported to be carrying the West Nile Virus. More commonly believed to be a problem in the summertime, this disease doesn't discriminate when it comes to the seasons. The West Nile Virus is spread through mammals, humans, and birds through mosquito bites, and symptoms and severity of the disease may vary. Children, seniors, and those with low immune systems are most vulnerable to the illness, which is known to cause flu-like qualities and is sometimes fatal.

Therefore it is important to make certain your lake is prepared and mosquito and pest control is in place. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, which is why lake management companies recommend a quality aeration system to keep your pond water moving and healthy. If you need assistance in ridding your lake of bugs that may carry infectious disease, call Virginia Lake Management today at 888-480-LAKE.

Bathymetric Mapping Helps HOA Plan Their Future

2010-08-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

Virginia Lake Management recently completed a bathymetric study of a homeowners association lake in Henrico County, VA. This study was conducted to help the residents assess the overall condition of their lake, identify areas of significant sedimentation, plan for dredging and overall future maintenance. Combined with our professional inspection of the lake and report, this bathymetric mapping is a powerful tool for residential communities in their long term planning and budgeting.

Take Care of Your Lake During Hurricane Season

2010-08-12T08:16:00.001-07:00

If you live along the East Coast, or in the Gulf region around Louisiana and Texas, you are susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms. Depending on how long you have lived in high target areas, you probably know the safety drills - how to protect your home, what foods you need to stock your pantry, and where to evacuate if you can't stay home. If you own a pond or lake, or are charged with maintaining such, you should be aware there are steps to take to ensure the area is well-maintained before and after a storm.

To ensure the good health of the vegetation and aquatic life around and in your pond, and to expedite cleaning after the rough weather has passed, consider these simple steps.

1) If you have a fountain or aeration system working, turn it off if you notice the water level in the pond begins to rise. Better yet, keep watch of weather reports in your area for high chance of rain, and shut everything off as close to when the storm hits as you can so you are not caught in the winds.

2) Make sure all of the inflow and outflow pipes, ditches, and pond borders are clean and free of blockages. Any obstacles could prove difficult to remove after a storm, or else may cause damage.

3) Make sure there are no unsecured items near the pond in case of flooding or high winds. This means any patio furniture, fishing equipment and small boats should be removed.

The more care you take before the storm, the less damage your water may suffer once the hurricane has passed.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Lake Management and Maryland Lake Management.

Great Summer Products for Your Lake

2010-07-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

Lake management is a year round job, but it seems the summer especially requires care. This is a time for mosquitoes to breed and waterfowl to attempt annexation of your lake. If you aren't fond of the dander and droppings left behind, to say nothing of insect infestation, this is time to take action. At Virginia Lake Management, we have the supplies you need to keep your ponds pest-free.

Microbe-Lift Mosquito Control

Made of spores and other biological components, this liquid can be applied to areas that contain aquatic life, or areas used by humans, pets, livestock, or birds. For optimum results, treat standing water every other week, or more often if necessary. One ounce of the larvicide will treat 1000 gallons of standing water.

Buy now!

The less bugs, the better. This is one of many products available from the top lake management company in the country.

Bluegill Backbone or Bane? North Vs. South

2010-06-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

by Dave Beasley

From America’s southern deserts to the vast timbered landscape along our northern border reside millions of private ponds and lakes. Each pond is a little different than the next, with regional climates and micro-climates giving ponds unique character. But, when it comes to ponds, the country has been placed into two stereotypical categories basically divided by the Mason- Dixon Line. When it comes to bluegill, that mythical boundary offers a distinct difference of opinions and strategies when it comes to managing this most basic of panfish. Of all the freshwater forage species in America, bluegill are one of few who prosper throughout both climates. Should bluegill be classified as the backbone to the forage base within both climates?

That’s a big question that offers a fair debate…depending on which side of that fabled line you live.

No matter where in the country they reside, bluegill definitely play the same role—they are forage for larger game fish as well as a highly sought-after sport fish in their own right. As a forage species, at their prime they have the ability to reproduce multiple times annually, laying thousands of eggs each spawn. Under ideal conditions, they grow fast and can reproduce before turning age one, maturing sexually as small as three inches long.

Their deep, compressed shape allows adults to avoid most predators and their diverse feeding habits allow for large numbers to live in harmony. Bluegill are warm water species, so they grow best when water temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Knowing this, it would make sense that they do better in warmer climates.

The climate in the south provides ideal water temperatures for bluegill growth throughout two extended periods of the year separated by a cold and a hot season. For example, bluegill in Alabama may have as many as 325 ‘perfect’ growing days, while upstate New York may only offer 70-120 of those same days.

In the south, bluegill have adapted to this split growing season, utilizing their ability to develop eggs in phases throughout both of these periods lending to multiple spawns. This important characteristic provides ponds with multiple size classes of young bluegill to fuel the food chain. That’s a key to largemouth bass management in the south. Warm water is conducive to plenty of plankton throughout most southern regions, supplying young bluegill with the nutrition needed to reach reproductive size by age one in some cases. The bass size class a couple months older than the latest bluegill hatch takes full advantage, providing young bass with great growth rates. This food chain works in harmony with these warm water species. The southern climate may not have perfect growing conditions year round, but multiple time periods of ideal temperature and available plankton draws out the annual growing season and exposes the good characteristics of bluegill as forage.

But what about pondmeisters in the northern third of the country stuck with warm water forage in a cooler climate? Are bluegill to blame for northern largemouth bass taking up to four years to reach 12 inches when, in the south, these bass can reach that in two years? Many people turn to blaming bass genetics and the short growing season to justify this reality. Is it possible that bluegill serve as an insufficient backbone for the food chain for predator fi sh in the north?

Well, a lesser known fact about the north is that they have a comparable number of growing days for largemouth bass. Many parts of the north have180 days of ‘ideal’ warm water temperature, it just all happens in sequence. Many parts of the south have 250 days of prime water temperatures with interruptions by a hot and cold season. Although bluegill in the north have a decent number of growing days, the sequence of these days and the different climate alters the dynamics of the food web.

Like many other species of wildlife throughout the world have evolved to make best of their current climate, bluegill have as well. The many spawns spread out over 9 or 10 months in the south don’t occur naturally in the north. Bluegill in the north often spawn only once or twice in the spring…or actually in the summer. This spawning habit is often related to food availability and the fact that spawning temperatures aren’t reached until June.

In unmanaged northern ponds expect one, possibly two size classes each year. Since bluegill spawn later in northern ponds, there’s often a gap in the food chain for largemouth bass.

And then, to complicate matters, perfect bluegill temperatures and fewer numbers of young allow for faster growth of individual fish. So, those bluegill which can survive immediate predation are often too large for the dominant size ranges of the predators we count on to eat them.

Another difference between Dixie and the snow covered north is the simple fact that largemouth bass are king of southern waterways. In the north, largemouths are a warm water fish often out of place with their cool water cousins, smallmouth, walleye and yellow perch.

These facts also affect what we think about bluegill and how we use them.

Throughout early and late winter months, cool water fish find the ice covered environment ideal for foraging. They gorge themselves on the shivering, young, lethargic warm water species…such as bluegill. By the time spring rolls around, forage is often scarce, creating a significant lull in the forage base. With the lack of abundant food, warm water fish simply don’t have the tools to put on the pounds. As temperatures rise, cool water fish spawn, then bluegill and other warm water fish. That’s a disadvantage to these warm water fish vying for a living in northern waters. Plankton blooms can be slow to start and only last 4-5 months.

But, those months of plankton growth can be intense. That intensity grows bluegill, fast. Each spring, or early summer in the north, bass and bluegill are hatched around the same time. This gives bluegill a distinct advantage over newly hatched bass. In this process, bass get off to a slower start in life than their southern cousins. Come July and August, young bass are only an inch or two long and most still rely on plankton and invertebrates for food. By mid-summer, the growing season is half over and food availability is finally reaching its peak. Young bluegill serve as a good source of forage now that they are around an inch plus in length.

But, this food chain is trying to support bass from several years past. For several months the environment provides a productive warm water fishery. When fall rolls around, young of the year bass are usually 3-4 inches in length and bluegill range between 1-2 inches. While young bluegill may be abundant, the metabolism of bass and bluegill slows to a crawl as fall yields to winter. Without hesitating, the cool water species continue to consume, taking advantage of the summer’s productivity and lethargic tendencies of the young bluegill. Come spring, temperatures rise, but one problem, those bluegill that were the backbone of the food chain are few and far between.

This annual lull in available food takes the reasonable 180 day growing season for warm water species and turns it into 80-120 days due to the lack of availability of food in the spring. Throw in the fact that, in the north, bluegill are age two before reaching reproductive size and things look more grim for those warm water predators awaiting a key component of the food chain. That’s the main reason largemouth bass don’t grow rapidly in the north and further adds to their overcrowding, even when in the presence of fish more suited to that climate.

So, although northern ponds struggle with bass growth, bluegill are not necessarily at fault. Bluegill continue to serve as a great source of forage. They can be depended on to reproduce annually and they have a large number of young, they just don’t have the same synergy with their key predators in northern waters as they do in the south.

So, what do we do?

In the south, feeding and fertilizing are key. Feed the bluegill and they will respond. With many, many more growing days, a southern pond can produce a much larger crop of bluegill. But, in the north, exercise care. If you tell a biologist you plan to feed or fertilize, that scientist-thinker is likely to tell you not to do it. Too big a risk, due to the complications of fertile water under snow-covered ice. Winterkill is a big issue. But, with cutting edge aeration systems and new management technologies, managers are re-thinking that advice.

So, are bluegill the backbone of the food chain in the south and north? Well, “Yes” to different degrees. In the south, they provide the basis for largemouth bass to grow fast and large. In the north, they assist in survival of predator fish, but are not adequate stand-alone forage fish for largemouth bass. Toss in their saucer-shape and they are less than ideal for other game fish with smaller mouths than largemouth bass, such as smallmouth.

In order to successfully grow large fish in the north with bluegill, you will need to provide for seasonal voids in the food chain. So, for those throughout the country questioning the decision to put bluegill in your pond, definitely do, just know how their characteristics mesh with your climate and adjust accordingly.

This article originally appeared in Pond Boss Magazine.

Hanging with the Pond Boss

2010-06-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

Virginia Lake Management's own Dave Beasley had the opportunity to go fishing with the Pond Boss himself, Bob Lusk of Pond Boss Magazine! On their forums, Bob describes the day and Dave's big catch, pictured here.

Check out the article by Bob on the Pond Boss forum today!

Why GPS Mapping is Important for Lakes

2010-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

If you own lake property, you may wonder why it's important to have the area mapped with GPS technology. After all, it's just water, and perhaps it's deepest in the middle and shallow around the edges. Is it really necessary to know exactly every spot of depth in the lake or pond?

If you plan to maintain a clean pond, free of toxins and obstacle, GPS mapping definitely comes into play. If the lake is used for recreation especially, it's imperative to know what lies underneath the surface so that maintenance efforts are always successful. Reasons to employ GPS mapping for your lakes include:

Determining high-volume fishing spots and areas of aquatic life
Spotting underwater obstructions and possible areas for installing underwater lights and aerators
Determining approaches to a dock area
Marking potential areas of danger for swimmers

When you contact Virginia Lake Management to handle your GPS lake mapping, we will assist in any and all lake monitoring, mapping of aquatic vegetation, and analysis of sedimentation for your lake and pond. No matter the size of your water property, we can provide 3-D contour imaging, fly-over video, and virtual 4-D mapping with underwater views. We invite you to contact us today at 888-480-LAKE to learn more.

The Lake and Pond Management "Do it Yourself" Dilemma

2010-05-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

by Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist, Virginia Lake Management Company

I often respond to calls from homeowners and association managers who have been working hard to control nuisance vegetation problems in their ponds or lakes, but have been unsuccessful. They have done extensive internet research and have talked to plant “experts” over the phone. Based on the information gathered, they have purchased aquatic herbicides and applied them to their ponds. Others have even taken a more hands- on approach and have tried to manually remove vegetation with rakes or nets. Along with many success stories for these strategies, there are more than a few dismal failures. The absolute most important component of any nuisance vegetation eradication or control program is the proper identification of the target pest. And while the internet is full of valuable information, there is no substitute for having a qualified professional evaluate the problem. I have visited numerous ponds where owners were complaining of “lily pads” when the problem was actually watershield. It’s very easy to mistake duckweed or watermeal for algae – they all look like “green slime” on the surface of the pond. And there are some species of vegetation, like hydrilla and egeria, that even some experienced ecologists have difficulty distinguishing from one another.

Knowing your pest is essential for identifying the appropriate treatment protocol, and many do- it-yourself pond managers have spent valuable time and money on unsuccessful strategies. For instance, copper-based herbicides are widely available on-line and at local farm cooperatives. However, these are probably the most often misused herbicides. While they do have a fairly broad spectrum, they will not help in every situation, and no amount of copper will control species like watershield or watermeal. I have also visited sites where people were manually harvesting hydrilla, which can reproduce by fragmentation. By implementing that strategy for control, they were unwittingly helping the plant to proliferate. The most tragic failed treatment plans for me are sites where improper herbicide use has resulted in a fish kill.

Chemical herbicides are safe when used for appropriate target pests and in a manner consistent with their label. Aquatic pesticides must go through an EPA registration process that includes comprehensive environmental and laboratory testing before they are released for public use. But inexperienced consumers often misuse the products, applying them to the wrong target pests, using inappropriate application equipment, or applying the wrong amount or concentration of the herbicides.

Professionals dedicated to environmental stewardship will always strive to educate their clients and the public about the fundamentals of sound long-term pond and lake management. Reputable firms will be more than happy to provide free on-site consultation regarding nuisance vegetation problems in your pond or lake. Whether you chose to hire a professional applicator or want to do it yourself, qualified professionals can help you formulate an appropriate strategy to ensure the long-term health of your aquatic resource.

Proud Provider of Aqua Master Fountains

2010-05-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

Virginia Lake Management is proud to offer our clients the best lake and pond management equipment available. This is why we carry Aqua Master fountains and aerators - these revolutionary fountains come in a variety of spray patterns. Your water property is always enhanced with an attractive display, while water stagnancy is reduced. You'll have less risk for bugs and other aquatic pests. These fountains are easy to maintain and operate, and you can opt for nighttime lighting as well for a stunning look.

We invite you to contact us today toll free at 888-480-LAKE to learn how we can enhance your Virginia lake, Maryland lake, or Delaware water property with a flowing beautiful fountain.

Get a head start on summer infestions on your lake property

2010-05-13T09:03:00.001-07:00

As the weather gets warmer, the bugs will be out in full force once again. Don't wait until the heat of summer to think about insecticides for mosquito control around your water property. Virginia Lake Management specializes in shipping heavy-duty mosquito control that kills the bugs but remains safe for your aquatic life and environment.

Right now we're featuring two products from VectoBac:

VectoBac 12 AS (2.5 gal)

Granular Biological Larvicide for control of insects where they breed, in slow moving and stagnant water bodies. Buy now!

VectoBac G (40#)

Granular Biological Larvicide for control of insects where they breed, in slow moving and stagnant water bodies. Buy now!

Engineers Select Local Bathymetric Lake Mapping Expert

2010-05-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

Source: The Mapping Netowork

Virginia Lake Management provided a bathymetric lake mapping for a lake in Virginia. Engineers recently performed a flood study on the dam and found the spillway insufficient. While preparing an engineering report to propose upgrade options the only bathymetric data available was hand collected in the 1950′s. As a local expert on bathymetric mapping, Virgina Lake Management was able to conduct an accurate, up-to-date lake depth map for the engineer’s report. This will provide the precise lake depths needed to create the best dam upgrade options. In addition, the data will assist engineers in determining the amount of volume reduction achieved if the decision is made to lower the lake level a few feet.

More information on Virginia Lake Management can be found on their website: www.virginialakemanagement.com

Kevin Tucker is the president of Virginia Lake Management Company, specializing in pond and lake management. VLM also controls pond management interests in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

phone: (866) 697-2584

website: www.virginialakemanagement.com

New Chemistry for Aquatic Weed Management

2010-04-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

We invite you to download the white paper, New Chemistry for Aquatic Weed Management, in PDF format.

Protecting the World's Water - White Paper

2010-04-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

We invite you to download the PDF, Protecting the World's Water, a white paper on Total Phosphorous Water Monitoring Using Satellite Imagery.

Virginia Lake Management Researches New Technology for Hard To Control Aquatic Weeds

2010-04-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Virginia lake Management, in cooperation with Valent Professional Products, has been working in the field testing the efficacy of a potentially new product that may revolutionize the treatment of Watermeal and some other very hard to control aquatic weed species. Traditional application products and methods have been unreliable for controlling the tiny little monster that Watermeal has now become. Over the past two years, we have worked diligently to find new ways to tackle this ever growing problem.

Please see the link below for more information and to read the white paper written about the testing of this new product.

http://www.valent.com/professional/aquatics/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=43497

We are all very excited about what this new product has to offer.

The Key to Geese Managment

2010-04-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Information is taken from SePRO FlightControl Plus. To learn more about this product, please download their PDF brochure, and contact Virginia Lake Management today to schedule cleaning and maintenance services for your lake property.

The resurgence of the Canada goose is one of wildlife preservation’s greatest success stories. With the enactment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, populations have rebounded to over 3 million and continue to grow yearly. Another reason for this increase is the creation of ideal habitats; large, open, grassy areas often surrounding ponds and lakes. As a result, heavy concentrations of geese feed and nest in playgrounds, corporate campuses, recreational areas, golf courses and residential areas. The geese and their droppings can render these areas almost unusable.

What can I do about my goose problem?

Integration of effective goose management techniques is the best way to solve the problem. FlightControl PLUS denies the goose the ability to feed. The effectiveness of the product assists other control techniques.

Recommended nonlethal solutions that work.

FlightControl PLUS—Spray applied to deny geese their food source, both as an anti-feedant and a visual warning creates a “No Tolerance Zone.”
Trained Dogs—Used in conjunction with FlightControl PLUS on large control areas, the total effectiveness increases—turf is taken off the menu.
Egg Addling—Effective in long term population control. Permits are required.
Habitat Modification—Assist the natural environment with tall grasses and vegetation, reducing the safe access to turf.

Why do they leave such a big mess behind?

Eating up to 3 pounds of grass per day, geese leave behind about 2 pounds of potentially “hazardous
waste” droppings, not to mention leaving the area stripped of vegetation. The area they prefer to feed on is
well marked by their droppings, or the “drop zone,” often rendering the area unusable. Costs associated
with repairing overgrazed lawns and cleanup of goose droppings can be substantial. Furthermore, the
nitrogen content in the droppings can contribute to excessive algae growth in ponds and lakes, causing
local health authorities to close them. In addition, goose droppings may contain parasites which can cause
gastrointestinal illness. These parasites can be transmitted primarily through hand to mouth contact.
Excessive goose droppings also pose a slipping hazard.

Is FlightControl PLUS cost effective?

Yes, when compared to...

Ongoing lawn maintenance costs for continually repairing goose damaged turf.
Manpower costs for raking or power washing goose droppings from “no tolerance areas.”
Potential liability associated with slipping and falling on goose droppings.
Lakes and ponds that may be closed due to excessive fecal coliform levels associated with waterfowl droppings.

FlightControl PLUS offers a threat and a consequence which conditions geese not to feed on your turf. During your first year of treatments, FlightControl PLUS should be used as a program which is designed according to your specific site needs. Once the geese are conditioned, FlightControl PLUS is applied on an “as needed” basis.

What's new in our Lake Management store

2010-04-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you haven't checked out the new look of our online lake management supply store, we hope you'll browse by many of the new items available for sale. With spring in full bloom, now is the time to think about the right cleaning and filtration supplies for your water property. Pollen forms an unsightly yellow film on water, and then you have algae blooms to contend with! Protect your aquatic plants and pond life today.

Green Clean Pro: This is a safe and effective granular algaecide that comes highly recommended. Algae poses a threat to your lake environment, so it's important to kill it before it gets out of hand.

Lifesaver 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle: The LIFESAVER® 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle uses a highly advanced ultra-filtration system to remove bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens. It has replaceable filters which can treat up to 4,000 liters of water at a rate of 750ml in just under a minute without using chemicals or leaving a chemical taste. All bottles include a pre-filter disc, a carry strap, a carbon filter and a chew-proof nozzle. Two-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.

4 Light Set 120 Volt Line Voltage Systems: One of our biggest sellers, this four-light set brings out the bold, beautiful color of your lake at night, creating an attractive sight for moonlight visitor.

Virginia Lake Management welcomes new employees

2010-03-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Brian Misener

Ethan Chappell

Virginia Lake Management Company, the industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the mid-Atlantic and surrounding states, is proud to welcome Ethan Chappell and Brian Misner to their staff.

Ethan joins the staff as an Aquatic Specialist, having an extensive background in Aquatic Maintenance and Aquatic Vegetation Control. Ethan brings a unique perspective to the Virginia Lake Management staff due to his work as an underwater gardener and his dive training and SCUBA certification.

A Texas Native, Ethan will be based in Virginia Lake Management’s Fredericksburg office and will be responsible for serving the Northern Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland and Pennsylvania areas.

Brian joins Virginia Lake Management as a Fisheries and Wildlife Management Biologist. A native of Delaware, Brian will be based in Virginia Lake Management’s Georgetown, Delaware office where he will be primarily responsible for serving the Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania client base. Brian will also assist with increasing this client base as he works in business development in the Delmarva Region.

Brian is a 2006 graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. Combining his education with a passion for the environment and a strong resume of professional and volunteer experience, Brian is a welcomed addition and a natural fit for Virginia Lake Management.

Flight Control Products for Lakes

2010-03-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Virginia Lake Management, a leader in lake management and maintenance, offers quality flight control products for repelling geese and other birds that pollute your water and contaminate your lake and pond environment. Please visit our main site today to learn more about these effective and safe product designed to keep your water surface free of droppings.

Flight Control Plus - Spray-applied FlightControl® coats grass with a naturally occurring compound that repels geese. The repellent lasts through several mowings; it has no odor, and rain does not wash it away.

Goose D-Fence - Effective, retractable, and easy to install and move fencing system that utilizes two clear lines mounted 12" and 24" off the ground, stretching tight along the edge of lakes and ponds. Each system will cover 250 ft. Easily retractable and spring loaded to keep tension on the line at all times. Barely noticeable to humans, which makes it aesthetically pleasant. Features a rewind system, one post and two receptacles. Additional posts with receptacles are available and must be ordered separately.

Goose D-Fence Post - Goose D-Fence Post w/Receptacle – Additional posts and receptacles are used to extend the goose defense coverage area and must be ordered separately. The receptacles are hollow, stainless steel 6 inch long tubes which are buried in the ground and are used to hold the additional posts.

Transfilm - Sticking agent that should be mixed with all goose prevention products when applied to turf. Helps improve the length of time an application will be effective and helps prevent the product from being washed away by rain or irrigation.

Blue Water Satellite Recognized by NASA

2010-02-24T10:50:00.001-08:00

Virginia Lake Management has been working diligently with Blue Water Satellite (BWS) to bring its remote satellite water quality monitoring technology into the forefront of environmentally sound water resource management. We are proud to have aligned ourselves with this company and the technology they have to offer our clients around the country. BWS was recently recognized for its achievements by NASA. You can see a brief summary at http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/news-archive/news_0243.html . Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about all of the benefits this technology has to offer.

Lake Surfactants for Sale

2010-02-24T07:02:00.001-08:00

Virginia Lake Management offers a wide selection of lake surfactants designed to properly reduce the surface tension of your lake or pond, and keep your water fresh and free of pollutants. We invite you to contact us today at (866)697-2584, or visit our main website for information on order any of the following.

JLB Defoamer: Tank mix with applications to reduce excess foam. Can also be applied directly to back yard ponds or storm water retention ponds to reduce foaming resulting from runoff or inadvertent contamination.

LI-700: LI-700 is a penetrating surfactant which improves spray droplet deposition, adhesion and coverage of spray material. It maximizes the effectiveness of systemic herbicides,insecticides, and fungicides.

PolyAn: Aquatic Sinking Agent tank mixed to provide better sinking of aquatic herbicides for control of bottom growing aquatic weeds.

Poly Control II: Aquatic Sinking Agent tank mixed to provide better sinking of aquatic herbicides for control of bottom growing aquatic weeds.

Silenergy: Silicone based spreader and surfactant designed to increase the herbicide activity and assist in more even application of the herbicide to the target weed species.

Nuisance Aquatic Weed and Algae Management Services

2010-02-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Nuisance aquatic vegetation control is particularly important to the health and quality of any aquatic ecosystem. As a SePRO Preferred Applicator, Virginia Lake Management utilizes the most advanced products and practices. We provide our clients with high-quality environmentally conscious solutions for the eradication and control of undesirable exotic weeds and other plant life that may jeopardize the balance of their pond, lake, wetland, or aquatic ecosystem.

BEFORE (see right) Invasive Algae and Aquatic Weeds can not only be unsightly, but can sometimes be a danger to aquatic life and humans depending on the plant species. Algae and other aquatic weeds can cause murky and foul-smelling water in addition to hiding a lake’s true beauty. Properly identifying the target algae and aquatic weeds growing in your pond is an important factor in achieving the desired results.

AFTER (see left) The results of algae and aquatic weed treatments performed by professionals can be breathtaking. Choosing the right product and applying it at the right rates at the right times will provide you with lasting results. The results of making the right choice and hiring the right professional.

Contact Virginia Lake Management today at (866) 697-2584 to learn more about how we can help beautify your lake property and maintain the environmental health of surrounding plant and aquatic life.

Preparing Your Investment for Winter

2010-02-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

By: Lee Abernathy, Environmental Scientist

During the summer months your fountain helps to maintain your pond with constant aeration while providing a pleasing view. As winter approaches, it is time for your fountain to receive some maintenance coupled with some well-deserved “TLC.” Virginia Lake Management offers ways to help your fountain run at peak performance during the cold winter months and all year round.

The first thing that should be considered for every fountain is an oil and seals change. This important task ensures that the fountain is running with clean oil and that your seals are working as designed, preventing any water from leaking into the unit. Changing the oil in your fountain works much like changing the oil in your vehicle: the cleaner the oil, the smoother it runs. Virginia Lake Management can provide this service on any brand of fountain that utilizes oil cooled submersible motors. Most manufacturers recommend these oil and seals change maintenance services be performed every three years. Our highly trained and professional staff can remove your fountain’s power unit, perform the oil and seals maintenance service and have it back in the water quickly with little down time. Everyone who owns a fountain should consider this service.

For our customers located in areas that are more prone to consistent hard freezing, we offer a program for removal and storage of your fountain for the winter months. We can prevent the risk of damage from severe cold and ice by removing the fountain motor and float from the lake, sealing the underwater power cable disconnect, performing a detailed inspection and cleaning of the unit. At this time, we’ll make any necessary repairs, and store the unit for the winter in our warehouse or any other location designated by the client.

The benefits of aeration are equally important in the winter, so for those clients who live in the colder climates who are willing to leave their fountains in during the winter, we have strategies that will allow you to do so safely and effectively. If the fountain runs 24 hours a day, there is typically no risk of hard freeze or damage to the fountain. Adding submersed aeration to your pond will improve the overall health of the pond and placing diffusers under the fountains will help keep the ice open in the area of the fountain, which will also allow for year round fountain operation. The top to bottom aeration and circulation created in this scenario will also help year round with improving water quality and prevention of algae.

Regardless of how you choose to manage your fountain in the winter, remember that your fountains are a valuable asset to the pond, and as such, it is important to keep them running at their best. Please do not hesitate to contact Virginia Lake Management with any questions you may have about preparing your fountain for winter.

Kevin Tucker Speaks at Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course

2010-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

Virginia Lake Management Company is proud of its continuing work towards the education of our community and the advancement of our values and our pursuit of enviromentally sound lake and pond management. Kevin Tucker, President of Virginia Lake Management Company, was recently invited to speak at the 2010 Mid Atlantic Horticulture Short Course that was held January 24-29. "I am very proud and honored that the organizers of this fine event put their trust in me to help them deliver the best in continuing education to various industry professionals from all parts of the green industry." "I will continue to make it a core part of my life to help educate others in the sound management of our water resources, as there is no more important resource on this earth." Kevin spoke on the most basic fundamental principles of lake management, the root causes of most water quality problems, and integrated solutions to correcting these problems. Learn more about Kevin and our company at www.virginialakemanagement.com and learn more about the 2010 MAHSC at www.mashc.org.

Virginia Lake Management and Cabela's are Partners

2010-02-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

Cabela's Trophy Properties, LLC, is the landowner services arm of Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. The Landowner Services Division has teamed with local Lake& Pond Services experts and Habitat Services experts nationwide to offer professional services in these specialty areas. Cabela's Trophy Properties has partnered with qualified independent real estate brokers, aquatic service providers, and habitat specialists around the country to better assure good land stewardship is promoted and practiced for generations to come. Virginia Lake Management Company is proudly affiliated with Cabela’s as one of Cabela’s Landowner Services recommended experts. www.CabelasTrophyProperties.com

Top Products For Lake Clarity

2010-01-29T08:28:00.001-08:00

For the property owner dealing with clearing out an on-site fishing pond, it's important to ensure the water is clear and clean at all times, regardless of weather and fishing conditions. Whether the water is there for personal use or accommodates others for recreational activity, you want products that work, yet are safe to human and aquatic life. As you browse for the right lake cleaning products this season, consider some of the following, all worth the investment.

Barley Straw Extract - For decomposing flotsam and natural blockage, liquid barley straw is a fast-working solution that helps balance pond water and improve cleanliness. Look for non-toxic brands to include in your cleaning schedule.

Pond Saver - Aerobic bacteria is essential in dissolving algae buildup in ponds that may otherwise choke fish and plant life. Use a water-soluble solution that works to prevent new algae from growing.

Autumn Specific Prep Solutions - Falling leaves can prove a greater hazard to your ponds than you think. Using a specializing prep liquid to quickly decompose leaves and sediment can keep your lake looking clear and clean in the colder months.

Specialized Peroxide - A lake needs oxygen in order for aquatic life to thrive, and peroxides designed for lake management can help time-release oxygen into the water to keep your lake clean. This is useful in particular if you don't have a mechanic device for aeration installed.

Contact a lake management professional today about recommended brands of water cleaning products for your fish pond or other water property.

K. Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Delaware lake management .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Lively

Top Products For Lake and Pond Care in 2010

2010-01-12T12:13:00.001-08:00

The turn of the new year may not appear to change the rules of proper lake management for you, but if you maintain a pond or body of water on your property for fishing, leisure, or ambiance, you may want to browse products to maintain cleanliness and safety. If you haven't tried these helpful items, resolve in the new year to use them for your water.

What should the lake manager use in 2010 to ensure an upkept, gorgeous pond?

The Gator Guard - You may have seen those owl decoys on the tops of buildings, used to discourage pigeons from roosting. The Gator Guard works the same way. This realistic-looking alligator head is affixed to your pond to deter geese from touching down on the water.

The LakeSweeper - Don't have time to set a boat deep into the pond and clean up debris. LakeSweepers are available to stretch as far at thirty feet. A boom, attached to a stationary point on the lake (like a pier) arcs over the water and sweeps up algae and other stuff that should be floating around.

Diffusers - The water in your pond needs to move constantly in order to keep oxygen transfer at a good pace. Stagnant ponds cause pollution, and a good diffuser helps distribute air throughout your water. Keep your fish and plants healthy!

Lake Dyes - Enhance the natural beauty of your pond with a water safe lake dye. A good water soluble, non-toxic colorant can reduce the sun's penetration on your water which in turn could help in it maintenance.

If you're serious about taking care of your water property, and keeping it free of birds and other pollutants, take care to shop for your lake's upkeep.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia lake management and Microsoft Dynamics consultants.

Entrepreneurs become foxhole buddies

2009-12-30T10:16:00.001-08:00

Entrepreneurs become foxhole buddies
(Credit: Inside Business, February 16 2009)

What started as a side business for Kevin Tucker quickly grew into the classic American Dream come true.

"When I first started my own business, I was every department and did all the work," said Tucker, of Virginia Beach. "I ran my business out of my garage."

Tucker is the founder and president of Virginia Lake Management, which he started in 1998. The company provides lake and storm water pond management services including water treatment, fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and fish management.

Eventually, Tucker was able to quit his day job and commit his full time and effort to his new company. Today, he employees 13 full-time staff members, has three offices, ships merchandise across the country and services six states.

"I always believed I would be successful," Tucker said. "I see more and more potential for new work and improvement every day."

Looking to expand his knowledge and find support from people going through the same situations with business and in life, Tucker joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. The global network has more than 7,000 members in 38 countries who all own their own businesses.

EO was founded in 1987 and the Hampton Roads chapter has been around since 2000. Membership is by invitation only but interested parties can still contact the local group to find out about joining.

"It’s an incredible opportunity to be around people who are like-minded," said Tucker, 36. "It’s being part of a group of people who you know have your professional back."

EO’s focus is self-explanatory. It’s for entrepreneurs only and membership requirements include being the founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a company. The company must gross a minimum of $1 million annually and the founder or owner must be less than 50 years old.

"Being part of this group has exceeded my expectations," said Tucker, who joined EO Hampton Roads almost four years ago. "It has made me a better person and my business has benefited from it as well."

Tucker has found help and advice in everything from creating a business marketing plan to where to find the best hotel for a vacation.

"No matter what our job is or what we do, we all have one thing in common and that’s running our own business," Tucker said. "There is a wealth of knowledge that comes from many different areas and this is the perfect place to step back and take a fresh look at your own work."

There are annual membership dues of $1,300. New members have a first-time joining fee of an additional $600. On top of that, EO Hampton Roads annual dues are $1,050 with a one-time new member chapter animation fee of $250.

Even in a weakened economy, the steep fees have not resulted in departures from the group.

"Our membership has not grown a lot but it hasn’t dropped either," Tucker said. "I think in bad times this organization provides value that would be hard to replace if a member dropped out."

For Jim Weigl, president of Virginia Toy and Novelty Co., EO Hampton Roads has helped him tap into new ideas. He started his company in his living room in 1999 and today has nine full-time employees, and ships merchandise across the U.S.

"This is a unique peer group where you can utilize and learn from other people’s experiences and business expertise," he said. "It’s a group of experts ready to help meet your needs at any time."

Weigl, who is president-elect and will take his position in July for the 2010 EO Hampton Roads fiscal year, has found help through the group with writing an employee handbook, legal advice, and how to manage and best fund large orders. Weigl has been a member of the local chapter for three years.

"The relationships that are formed here are life-changing," he said. "It not only helps professionally, but personally. These people are also some of my best friends."

Since the overall organization is global, events are held around the world each year. In addition, 113 chapters meet individually. Chapter meetings give members the opportunity to connect with other local EO members while benefiting from the knowledge of guest speakers who discuss a variety of business topics.

"These chapter meetings are a great chance to meet people you would otherwise not have a chance to talk with," Tucker said. "You get the benefit of their expertise sitting in a small group and talking with friends."

Beyond the chapter meetings, forums are held to get down to the real issues. The forums are geared toward talking about the triumphs and tragedies of life as an entrepreneur. Moderator-trained EO members guide the sessions, which emphasize confidentiality, personal responsibility and the sharing of lessons learned, according to the EO Web site.

"We relate the good and the bad," Weigl said. "Then we sort things out and all leave better people and have the ability to run a more effective business."

Typically forums meet about once a month and the same group of people is in the forum each time. Forums can be as simple as a lunch date or a fishing trip, depending on what the group decides.
"Keeping the same group builds trust and understanding with each other," Tucker said. "We get serious and we get personal. We are truly there to help each other."

The Hampton Roads chapter has 53 members and six forums and a seventh is in the works.

"Everything EO does is top-notch," said Martin A. Joseph, president of TOMAR Computer Integrations Inc. "The events are amazing and the meetings are packed with valuated information."

Locally, the chapter has held meetings at the Norfolk Yacht Club and Town Point Club. Owners of Landmark Media Enterprises LCC, DollarTree, the president of Stihl and the owner of the Tides baseball team were just some of the keynote speakers.

"Everything is confidential and we strive to help each other succeed," said Joseph, who is a past-president of EO Hampton Roads. "It’s a great place to share ideas and make sure you’re on the right track.

VLM Completes Lake Mapping with The Mapping Network

2009-12-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

One of our partners, The Mapping Network, just helped us complete a Bathymetric Lake Map for a planned golf community of 720 homes in North Carolina. The project will proivde the new community with a 3d color-shaded map that has water volumes for lakes as well as detailed GPS coordinates for various community landscape features.

Check out more from The Mapping Network and read their blog

Happy holidays and a prosperous 2010 from Virginia Lake Management.

Advantages of Pond and Lake GPS Mapping

2009-11-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Do you own or maintain property with a natural or man-made body of water? No matter where you live, or what time of year, if you enjoy nature you no doubt try to take in leisurely strolls around the area lakes. While ponds and lakes offer an aesthetic beauty to any tract of land, it's important to make certain the water and surrounding areas are properly cleaned and maintained. This means more than just picking up discarded trash around the border and checking for insects and waterfowl. One must go deeper - literally and figuratively. GPS mapping can help.

Why Use GPS Mapping for Lakes

Applying GPS technology to lake and pond management helps in the maintenance and overall environmental health of your property. The more you know about what is happening in your lake, the better for you to discern and solves problems as they arrive. If you are unable to handle full management of water on your own, hiring a professional service to take care of GPS mapping is a must if you want to keep pollution and health hazards off your property.

How will your property benefit from this technology? Take a look at the work involved in GPS mapping:

Lake Monitoring

Aquatic Vegetation Mapping - Are there plants in your pond that shouldn't be there? Mapping explores the vegatation in your lake to determine if it is hazardous to the environment.

Bathymetric Mapping - Know the true depths of your water with bathymetry, especially if your lake is large enough to be navigable.

Sedimentation Analysis - It's important to know the structural integrity of your lake's floors and borders, and how much vegetation and aquatic life it can sustain.

Dredging Planning - Stagnant water breeds trouble - insects and pollution. Before you dredge and aerate, you must map to know where to get the job done.

For the best results in mapping, it's best to consult with a lake management company equipped with the very latest in GPS surface mapping, bathymetry, 3-D contour imaging, aerial and fly-over video resources and virtual underwater swim-view 4-D mapping. With this knowledge, you can add layers of depth to the information you seek to maintain a beautiful lake.

Kevin Tucker is the president of Virginia Lake Management Company, specializing in pond and Virginia lake management. VLM also controls pond management interests in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

Human Methods For Preventing Geese From Crowding Your Ponds

2009-10-28T13:05:00.001-07:00

If you maintain a lake or pond on your property, you know the importance of regular maintenance to ensure good water quality and the health of any aquatic plants and life residing within. Pest control is a key factor in lake management, but it doesn't necessarily end with getting rid of insect. Geese, while graceful to see as they fly in V-formations through the air, can threaten the balance of your pond's environment if you ignore them.

Why Is It Important to Keep Away the Geese?

Geese may look cute, and some people might not mind having a few linger around a pond for ambiance, but in truth too many geese could disrupt the ecosystem of your pond. An adult goose can produce up to three pounds of waste daily, and once that gets into your water it could spell pollution, and problems for fish and plants that react badly to it. Add the amount of goose dander left behind, and you have a lake that needs serious cleaning inside and out.

Human Methods of Goose Control

If you are unable or unwilling to hunt down the geese, you have other options to consider that don't involve killing the waterfowl. Specialized goose repellents, such as sprays that coat the grass, provide a reasonable solution to the problem. Find a solvent that will not harm your lake and spray regularly during the peak seasons. That should train the geese not to land on your property.

Retractable goose fences are another option. These systems are not fences in the traditional sense, but are actually a network of clear wires set over a pond that prevent geese from touching down on the water. Most goose fences on the market are practically invisible, so it won't look to visitors as though you have something installed.

Once you are able to keep geese from crowding your lake, you can continue to maintain its natural beauty. Consult with a professional lake management company for the best solution.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on pond management for Virginia and lake management for Maryland.

Defoam Your Pond For Good Environmental Health

2009-10-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

When you think of foam, it might generate different images and thoughts. A rabid dog foaming at the mouth indicates a dangerous situation, while a child playing with a mass of soapy bubbles evokes a more pleasant feeling. Foam floating on the surface of a lake, however, is not so enjoyable for it can pose an environmental problem. The more you learn about the causes and effects of foamy pond water the sooner you can eliminate this potential pollutant and keep your aquatic life and plants safe.

What Causes Pond Foam?

In short, on the water's surface there is a smaller amount of water molecules than deeper in the pond. These molecules stick together since they cannot connect with the air, and as a result this bond creates a film that forms a barrier that, as surface tension lessens, produces bubbles. The more bubbles that result, the foamier the water gets.

Lake foam can occur naturally or through pollution - especially when detergents or soaps are released into the water. While most people often associate soap with cleanliness, in a lake it can lead to problems. Increase in bacteria, threats to fish and other animal life, and dirt flotation are a few of the results that can harm the aesthetic beauty of your water property. This is why it's important to reduce and eliminate altogether the buildup on the water's surface and around the edges of the lake.

Getting Rid of It

Do your research to find a safe defoaming solution to use in your water. Most industry defoamers contain chemicals that help break up the bubbles that surface, so you want to be sure what you put in your like won't harm any fish or plants. Contacting a professional lake management company is a good way to ensure the health of your lake property.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia lake management and Delaware lake management.

What a Lake Management Company Can Do For You

2009-10-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Do you own or keep a lake or pond on your home or business property? If so, you must know the importance of hiring a management service to oversee the health of the surrounding environment and any aquatic life within. To leave a pond neglected on your land could lead to serious problems, including infestation and pollution, and because natural water reservoirs differ from custom pools there are specific processes for care of the water and plant life. It isn't enough to skim away leaves floating on the surface - hiring a professional pond management service is the best step to take in caring for your property.

What a Lake Management Company Does

A respected lake and pond supervisor carries many responsibilities. In addition to overseeing the landscaping and aesthetic beauty of the property, they will regularly test the water and surrounding environment for anomalies, often using high-tech equipment to maintain quality control. Just some of the duties of a pond manager include:

Algae and Aquatic Weed Control
Fountain and Aerator Service - including installation and maintenance
Biological Augmentation
Lake Dye
Shoreline Vegetation Management
Wetlands Management
Fisheries Management
Mosquito Control
Sedimentation and Dredging Analysis
Physical Pond Inspections and Repairs
Water Quality Monitoring and Testing
Lake Cleanup and Debris Removal

A good company will offer the finest products and services available to ensure the health and maintained beauty of the ecosystem. If it's possible weeds and insects are threatening any pond, lake, or other wetland on your property, consult with a professional today to learn how your on-site natural water reservoir can improve.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on lake management services and Microsoft NAV consultants.

Choosing the Right Fountain For Your Pond

2009-09-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

If you own business park property, manage a large apartment complex, or run an outdoor resort, one thing is clear: if there is a lake or pond on the property, it is strongly recommended to upkeep the way it looks. Installing a fountain is not only a visually pleasing addition to your land, but also helps keep the water fresh and free of environmental problems.

Why a Fountain?

Especially if you live in an area prone to humidity and prolonged months of warm weather, stagnant lakes and ponds can prove a popular breeding ground for insects and harmful elements. Nobody likes to stroll along a lake with a thick green skin of algae floating on top - installing a fountain, however, helps keep the water moving above and below the surface. The more aeration a stagnant body of water receives, the less chance of pollution.

Once you have decided to add a fountain to your property, next comes the question: what kind? Yes, there are many options to consider.

Patterned Geysers

Think all fountain geysers are the same? If you are unfamiliar with the installation of a pond fountain, you will be surprised to know that a variety of models exist to display different aesthetic looks to your outdoor property. Some of the more traditional geyser styles include:

Crystalline: this produces a beautiful diamond shaped-spray
Crown and Geyser: a traditional upshoot of water is enhanced by smaller, lower sprays, giving the geyser the effect of sitting on a "crown"
Plume: this particular nozzle sprays a wide funnel of water which resembles an ostrich's plume
Plum Tree: Not as wide as the Plume, the volume of water produced from this geyser rises and falls in a round shape, giving the appearance of a tree

Most manufacturers of lake fountains will offer other styles under different names. As you shop around for a lake management company to assist in beautifying your property, you'll discover how much there is involved in installing a fountain. Don't be intimidated, however. Pond maintenance is more affordable than you think, and given the benefits it is an investment that quickly pays for itself.

K. Lively is a freelance writers specializing in articles on Virginia lake management and Maryland lake management.

Top Products For Lake and Pond Management

2009-09-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

If you own a lake or pond on your property, or if you manage a business park or apartment complex overseeing water, you know how important it is to maintain the area year-round. Stagnant water if left untreated can fall victim to a number of problems that compromise the ecosystem surrounding you, and in turn diminish the value of your land. If you are new to pond and lake management, it's important to know what types of products you need to keep the water, and any fish or creatures living in it, clean.

Lake Management Shopping List

No matter the size of your pond, or the depth, any stagnant area of water requires specific products and treatments to ensure the water's cleanliness and the health and safety of any aquatic life. With this mind, here is a short list of the basic necessities. Many can be purchased online or through a professional lake or pond management company.

Algaecides - That filmy green layer floating on the surface of your lake isn't attractive. In fact, it could be harmful to other plants and animals. Choice algaecides are in order to ensure algae is elminated.

Aquatic Herbicides - Not all plants are good for your lake. Certain types of weeds thrive in damp areas and could choke fish. Choose an herbicide that gets into the root and destroys that bad foliage.

Surfactants - If you've noticed a foamy buildup in your lake, more than likely it's come as a result of pollutants. You need a surfactant to reduce the amount and help promote cleaner water.

Insecticides/Larvicides - Nobody wants to stroll around a lake infested with mosquitos or other biting insects. Proper, industrial-strength insecticides can ride your property of pests and prevent new ones from hatching.

Goose Repellents - Think geese make a cute addition to your pond? In truth, geese can pose an environmental hazard to your property, between shedding and waste and messing up your plants. It's best to invest in an animal-safe repellent that discourages geese from making a home on your land.

The more energy you put into cleaning your lake property, the more time you'll want to spend enjoying the serenity. Take care to know which products to use, or enlist a lake management specialist to help.

K. Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on pond management in Virginia and lake management in Delaware.

Why Your Pond Needs Aeration

2009-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

What could be more peaceful than a leisurely stroll around a nearby lake, taking in the beautiful greenery and watching ducks splash in the water? On a warm spring day, it's not uncommon to see people enjoying their lunch break from work near an on-site pond, and if you're fortunate enough to have wetland property it's nice to enjoy it on a regular basis. However, if your pond or lake isn't cared for, you could experience an imbalance in the ecosystem that could harm surrounding plant and animal life. Maintaining your water property through aeration is the key to a healthy pond.

Aeration is defined as the process by which air is circulated through a space, thereby purifying the area with oxygen. When a farmer aerates soil, for example, he is supplying much needed air into the dirt to help his crops grow. So it is with ponds and lakes: aeration benefits these environments. If a pond becomes stagnant due to lack of oxygen, it could result in an accumulation of algae and odorous sludge at the bottom which attracts mosquitoes and harms aquatic life. Nobody wants to come near a body of water plagued with sickly green muck and biting bugs, so it is important to ensure that the water on your property continues to circulate.

Three recommendation methods for pond aeration include:

Wind Powered Aeration Systems - Wind power is affordable, doesn't require electricity, and is typically the least expensive of all available options.

Electric Aerators - Electric is a good option to consider in areas where continuous aeration is needed. Most electric systems circulate from the bottom of the lake or pond upward to help the ecosystem.

Fountains - Aesthetically pleasing, fountains are mainly electric and only circulate water on the surface.

Consult with a professional lake management system about the best solution for your on-site wetlands. The sooner you work to aerate your lake or pond, the better for all creatures and plant life on your property.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on lake management services and Microsoft NAV consultants.

What is the purpose of stormwater ponds?

2009-08-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

by Kyle Finerfrock, Environmental Scientist

Stormwater ponds are designed to be catch basins for developed areas. Stormwater ponds collect rainwater that run over impermeable surfaces such as parking lots, roads, and buildings. In undeveloped areas rainwater can be absorbed into the soil, taken up by trees and plants or flow into rivers, streams or wetlands naturally. The daily activities of people cause pollutants to collect on impermeable surfaces and get washed into waterways during rain events. These pollutants include dirt, oil, fertilizers, yard waste and litter. Pollutants can be harmful to habitats and wildlife downstream if they are allowed into the ecosystem. With stormwater ponds in place, rainwater can collect, sediment and pollutants can settle out before being released back into the watershed.

Stormwater ponds are often located in common areas and attract wildlife. Due to the contaminants being collected by the pond this can be potentially harmful to local wildlife if not properly managed. To keep the stormwater pond functioning properly, it may need to be periodically cleaned out to remove sediments that have accumulated over time. This can be an expensive and intensive process. Actions must be taken by community members to minimize contaminates entering the pond. We can all do our part to help keep our ponds healthy by being good environmental stewards in our community.

Here are a few tips for keeping your pond and community safe:

Keep litter, yard waste and pet waste out of drainage ditches and storm drains.
Pesticides and Fertilizers need to be used and disposed of properly. Fertilizers should never be broadcast over streets or sidewalks. Fertilizers and pesticides should only be applied at the label rate.
Properly dispose of oil and antifreeze.
Never hose chemicals off impermeable surfaces
Reduce erosion from your property by planting plants and grasses over exposed areas
Allow natural plants to grow up around your pond to help filter runoff water.

A Balanced Fishery

2009-08-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

by Dave Beasley, Fisheries Biologist for Virginia Lake Management

Maintaining a balanced fishery is both challenging and fun. The standard requirements are good water quality, proper fish species, balanced predator to prey ratios and suitable habitat.

Water quality is a given, just like humans do not do well in poor air quality, fish do not do well in poor water quality. So if your pond does not have an ample clean water source, you most likely to need to aerate. A simple water test will take the guess work out of the equation. If aeration is implemented, not only will the fish benefit, but the whole ecosystem will as well.

With an environment fit for fish, having the proper species is a must. The size of the pond along with water temperatures throughout the year will have a direct impact on what fish should reside in the pond. Fish species have different life cycles that need to match the pond’s environment. Most fish are very picky, relying greatly on proper water temperature and the ideal environment in order to successfully reproduce.

Once the fish species of choice inhabit the pond, they need to be managed. Naturally the predator fish will feed on the smaller fish, reproduce, and over time overpopulate, forcing the pond out of balance. Without baitfish the predator fish can’t grow and as a result predators become stunted and skinny. This common problem can be corrected, but is best if prevented. Professionals have the tools and knowledge to keep ponds from getting out of balance.

Supplemental feeding is a great option. Most fish species can be trained to eat pelleted feed. Feeding predator fish artificial feed will relieve pressure on the bait fish, in turn keeping the pond from getting out of balance as quickly. The baitfish will also eat the artificial feed, creating healthier bait with better reproduction rates and better survival rates. As an added benefit of feeding, the pond will be able to support far more fish.

Whether you feed your pond or not, the fish population will still become predator heavy. One tool used to remove over populated fish is an electro-shocking research vessel. Using this type of vessel, excess fish can easily be removed from a pond.

The electro-shocking research vessel’s primary use is to assess fish populations. Using Direct Current produced on board, the fish are stunned in a safe, harmless manor. The fish are then brought onboard using dip nets and placed into a holding tank. While aboard, the quantity of each species is recorded along with their length and weight. Using the data to determine the pond’s relative abundance and relative biomass we are able to make accurate management decisions.

With the fish populations in check, the habitat within the pond needs to be maintained. A pond consisting of 15% vegetation is good for a healthy fishery. Fish use plants as a source of cover when avoiding predation. Other fish use the vegetation to hide when preying on fish. Some species of fish even lay eggs on plants when spawning. Unfortunately many plants have the tendency (just like predator fish) to take over the pond. Using Grass Carp and/or aquatic herbicides, vegetation can be controlled and maintained as desired.

Creating and maintaining a balanced fishery can be a great deal of fun and a rewarding process. The benefits will be quality fishing time with your family and friends.

Dredging Your Pond: Planning for the Big Dig

2009-08-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

By Terry Owens- Environmental Scientist and Kimberly Niesel, CMCA- Director of Marketing

If your community has a lake or pond, it may have crossed your mind that dredging will be needed at some point. Hopefully your community has had a professional reserve study performed which includes funds allocated to a future dredging project. If you have reviewed this line item, you may see that it is one of the most costly projects that a community will ever undergo. Still, you may find that even though funds have been allocated, these funds may not be adequate to cover the scope of work needed. In order to prepare for the “big dig” that may be around the corner, here are a couple of tips to prolong the time needed between dredging projects:

Bathymetry: Your lake is a dynamic and unique ecosystem. Bathymetry allows you to better understand the changes that are going on in your lake. Bathymetry is the science of three dimensional lake mapping where surface area is shown with the corresponding depths. It shows the underwater mountains and valleys. Specifically it shows the very shallow parts of your pond. It also gives information on the quantity, location, and types of sediments sitting at the bottom of your pond. When compared to original plans, it will also allow you to calculate the rate at which your pond is filling in with sediment. This information allows you to tailor your dredging planning and budgeting to be more site and cost specific, reducing the unknown and taking the guess work out of your long term reserve planning and budgeting.

Aeration: Aeration is an important part to any lake management strategy but specifically it can help prolong the amount of time before dredging is required. The movement of water generated by aeration keeps sediments in a suspended stated not allowing them to settle out and add layers to the bottom of your pond. By adding oxygen and movement to the water, you can slow the accumulation of organic sediment and even help to break down a vast majority of sediments through the microbial processes that are enhanced by the aeration. Minimization of organic sediment accumulation on the bottom of the pond will greatly extend the life of your pond and push back the timeline for dredging.

Fish Stocking (Grass Carp): Fish stocking can be another effective way of increasing time before dredging is required. Stocking your pond with fish, specifically grass carp, is a biological control against nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae. These fish are herbivores and only go after the vegetation in your pond. Removing harmful vegetation improves the “look” of your pond and has the added benefit of removing organic matter that can build up and increase the “filling” of your pond. By consuming these plants the fish are effectively removing any of the nutrients that might be recycled and used for growth of new plants.

Biological Augmentation: Another way to decrease the nutrient build up in your pond is through biological augmentation which is the addition of natural bacteria and enzymes to your pond or lake, also known as “biologicals”. Biologicals are naturally occurring bacteria that utilize excess nutrients in the water for their own growth. This means that they remove the food source that algae and other nuisance vegetation need to grow. These bacteria are also responsible for helping to break down the “organic sludge” sitting on the bottom of your pond. Coupled with aeration, biologicals effectively remove nutrients and break down the organic layer slowing the “filling” of your pond.

Overall there are multiple ways to prolong the time before you need to dredge your pond. These are just a few of the more effective strategies to help your pond from filling up. Through proper pond management you can have a pond that looks great and gives you adequate time to plan for your “big dig.”

Getting To Know Our Aquatic Pests: Coontail

2009-08-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

by Lee Abernathy, Environmental Scientist for Virginia Lake Management

Aquatic pest managers run into a number of different species that need some form of control. At first glance many of these species may appear to be beneficial and should not be controlled. However, this is not always the case, even with native species. Native species can spread uncontrollably in certain situations, choking out entire lakes and ponds.

One of these species is Coontail, Ceratophyllum demersum. Coontail is a submersed aquatic plant with coarse, bushy stems and no roots. The stiff leaves are fork-divided (generally forked once or twice), flattened, and arranged in whorls of 5 to 12 leaves. The leaf margins are finely serrated. In some cases the teeth are tipped with a small spine. Whorls of leaves are more closely spaced towards the end of branches giving the plant a raccoon tail appearance. Tiny flowers, followed by spiny fruits are produced in the leaf axils.

Coontail is native to much of North America and is widely considered a beneficial species. Under many circumstances, this aquatic plant is very beneficial. It provides valuable habitat for fish such as bass and bluegill. This plant protects smaller fish from predators while also providing a location for aquatic insects to live, resulting in an important food source. Coontail also helps with the clarity of water. The plant filters out sediments allowing a lake or pond to be very clear which helps with the production of dissolved oxygen in the water.

While Coontail is loved by fish, it is often despised by aquatic pest managers. Coontail can grow uncontrollably and can completely take over a lake or pond. Once this occurs, management is absolutely necessary. Grass carp can help control a Coontail population over time, but aquatic herbicide treatment will typically be required to control this plant in the short term. Again, this plant is a native and can be beneficial if managed properly, but you may find that treatment and other tools are necessary to do so. Turn to your aquatic pest managers to determine the best management options for your particular lake or pond.

Getting to Know Your Local Turtles

2009-08-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist

During a visit to a pond last fall, I noticed a man and several small children leaning over a cardboard box at the edge of the water. As I approached, I noticed a brightly colored brown and yellow turtle crawling out of the box. I watched with a combination of amusement and horror as the man prodded the turtle with a stick towards the pond. They had rescued the turtle out of the road near their house, and had rushed it over to the pond to return it to its “natural” habitat. But what he apparently did not realize was that the turtle was not an aquatic turtle, but an Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina). While these turtles may venture down to the water for a drink or a quick dip, they generally do not swim, and prefer forested or grassland habitats.

I realize that most people are not herpetologists, and may not be able to identify many of the turtles that live with us in our neighborhoods. But even a local stormwater pond can provide an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with some of the more adaptable pond residents. Turtles are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem, and can be easily viewed with a pair of binoculars or a quiet approach.

The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) is the most widespread turtle in North America. These are the turtles that you see basking in large numbers on partially submerged logs and rocks, although they will quickly slide back into the water at any sign of disturbance. They get their name from the colorful markings on their shells and body. Their upper shell (carapace) is mostly dark, but it has bright reddish-orange crescents around the edges. The head, limbs and tail are brightly striped with red and yellow, and the lower shell (plastron) is yellow-orange. They are omnivourous, and eat insects, plants, algae, fish, and invertebrates.

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is not actually native to our area. These are the turtles that used to be sold as babies in pet stores until it was found that they could transmit salmonella bacteria to small children. Many of these unwanted pets were released in local ponds, and have been able to survive and breed to form stable populations. They can be easily identified by the bright red marking behind the ear. The carapace is bright yellow and green when the turtles are young, but becomes darker as they mature. Sliders are very similar in diet and behavior to painted turtles. One interesting fact about both species is that they have fixed tongues and no saliva, so they are only able to ingest food in the water.

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is probably the most misunderstood of all pond turtles. Many are intentionally killed each year by humans for fear that they are aggressive, or that they will adversely impact fish populations. While there are reports of snapping turtle bites, this only happens on land when people are harassing the turtles or attempting to handle them. In the water they are actually quite reclusive, and will retreat when approached. Snapping turtles eat a variety of plant and animal materials, and are both scavengers and predators. Although they do eat fish, a few turtles in a pond cannot impact the populations enough to adversely impact the sport fishery.

So grab your binoculars and take a look around the pond to see if you can identify any of these turtles. And if you happen to see a turtle crossing the road, by all means help it out. Put it in the grass on the side of the road where it was heading – it knows where it wants to go!

Shannon Junior writes for Virginia Lake Management, serving the Mid-Atlantic with pond management and aeration services.

What Do I Plant Around My Pond?

2009-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

by Gregory Blackham
Aquatic Specialist

You’ve decided you want to add some color and definition around your pond. You also know that creating a vegetative buffer around your precious water resource is vital on many levels. Attracting a variety of waterfowl and other wildlife is desirable also. There are so many advantages to having vegetation, but the question is…What do you plant?

Selecting plants is a lot more difficult when a body of water is involved. There are additional considerations that have to be taken. Erosion control has to be of utmost importance.

Nutrient and pollutant filtering should also be of a high priority, considering it is one of the major causes of poor water quality and algae growth. Plants native to your area should always take precedence. Woody plants and shrubs too close to the bank can destabilize the compaction of the slope and speed up the erosion process; but, if they are planted far enough away from the slope, they can be highly beneficial. They can soak up a lot of the nutrients and filter contaminates before they ever reach the bank, and can also slow down the speed at which water runoff travels and suspends particles. Canopy interception of rainfall can also be helpful.

In the upland areas around the edge of a pond, you should select plants that can survive and adapt to occasional mild flooding during storm events. If the soil around the pond is particularly acidic, sandy, or of a compacted clay or rock, this might limit your options. Some suggestions of hardy plant types that fair well in a variety of applications that I’ve chosen are Red Maple, Bald Cypress, Black Willow, Elderberry, Black Cherry, Silky Dogwood, and Buttonbush. If you know for certain that the area never gets flooded, you can probably choose just about any tree or shrub that would typically thrive in that soil condition.

As you get closer to the water, you have to select plants that are more accustomed to flooding. They should be able to withstand some exposure, and also be able to survive mowing. You would preferably want something with minimal maintenance. A couple of my picks would be Switchgrass, various varieties of turf type grasses, and a variety of sedges.

One of the most critical vegetative areas in the overall pond’s ecosystem starts in the shallow water and extends up into the bank. Choosing native plants for this area is highly recommended. An exotic species can completely overcrowd all other plants quickly, reducing the bio-diversity, and leading to numerous problems. These native wetland plants protect the shoreline, which is highly susceptible to erosion, and keep bottom sediments from re-suspending into the water, keeping it clear. They also provide habitats for a variety of insects that keep mosquitoes at bay. This buffer is also the last check on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous before they become available in the open water.

Plants located around the pond need to be highly adaptive to constant changes in the water level. Here are a few I recommend based on their hardiness and ability to provide food for waterfowl: Pickerelweed, Arrow Arum, Wild Rice, Broomsedge, Soft-stem Bulrush, Common Three Square, Lizard’s Tail, Marsh Hibiscus, and Rice Cutgrass.

There are many plants that are suited for a variety of water related environments. If you are unsure which is appropriate for your area, you can contact your State’s Department of Conservation and Recreation or Natural Reserve. Additionally, you can always contact your lake and pond management professional who is typically an expert in native pond plants.

What a Lake Management Company Can Do for You

2009-08-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Do you own keep a lake or pond on your home or business property? If so, you must know the importance of hiring a management service to oversee the health of the surrounding environment and any aquatic life within. To leave a pond neglected on your land could lead to serious problems, including infestation and pollution, and because natural water reservoirs differ from custom pools there are specific processes for care of the water and plant life. It isn't enough to skim away leaves floating on the surface - hiring a professional pond management service is the best step to take in caring for your property.

What a Lake Management Company Does

Algae and Aquatic Weed Control
Fountain and Aerator Service - including installation and maintenance
Biological Augmentation
Lake Dye
Shoreline Vegetation Management
Wetlands Management
Fisheries Management
Mosquito Control
Sedimentation and Dredging Analysis
Physical Pond Inspections and Repairs
Water Quality Monitoring and Testing
Lake Cleanup and Debris Removal

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on lake management services.

Why Your Pond Needs Aeration

2009-08-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

Three recommendation methods for pond aeration include:

Wind Powered Aeration Systems - Wind power is affordable, doesn't require electricity, and is typically the least expensive of all available options.

Fountains - Aesthetically pleasing, fountains are mainly electric and only circulate water on the surface.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on lake management service.

Getting to know your aquatic weeds: Hydrilla

2009-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

By: Lee Abernathy, Environmental Scientist

Of the number of weeds that are found in your pond there are many that can cause more issues that others. One of these plants is Hydrilla. Released in the United States in Florida waterways in the 1960’s, hydrilla has now established in many states. The eradication of this invasive weed is costing millions of dollars each year. This weed spreads very quickly, clogging waterways, wrapping around boat propellers, and even getting tangled around the legs of unsuspecting swimmers, resulting in drowning. It is a submersed plant that can grow to the surface and form dense mats. It may be found in all types of water bodies from stagnant ponds to flowing mountain streams.

Hydrilla stems are slender, branched and up to 25 feet long. Hydrilla's small leaves are strap-like and pointed. They grow in whorls of four to eight around the stem. The leaf margins are distinctly saw-toothed. Hydrilla often has one or more sharp teeth along the length of the leaf mid-rib. Hydrilla produces tiny white flowers on long stalks. It also produces 1/4 inch turions at the leaf axils and potato-like tubers attached to the roots in the mud. The tubers can lay dormant for several years making control of these plants difficult.

Hydrilla can be controlled in a number of ways. The most popular way of controlling this plant is through the use of aquatic herbicides, but these only result in temporary control. Lake drawdowns (lowering the water level) are another method of control which exposes the plants causing them to die and decompose. Grass carp will consume hydrilla making the addition of grass carp to your pond also an effective control method that is more natural than the use of herbicides.

Due to the invasiveness of this plant, measures need to be taken for control at first sight. This plant can grow up to an inch a day and the more that it spreads, the harder it can be to control. Contact you aquatic specialists for the best method to control and eliminate hydrilla and any other nuisance aquatic weeds.

Learn more at Virginia Lake Management.

Mosquito Riddance

2009-07-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

by Greg Blackham, Aquatic Specialist

The war between humans and mosquitoes is a timeless one. Mosquitoes have spread more diseases and death worldwide than any other cause. It is well known they can spread West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever and many others. They also rate very high on the top ten most annoying insect’s list, completely able to ruin a nice day outside within minutes. They can breed in the smallest pockets of standing water, which brings us to our problem: your pond! With the potential to house millions of eggs, you could find yourself on the front lines!

A single female mosquito may lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs at a time, which occurs on average 5-7 times in her lifetime. An egg can become an adult in as early as 4 days, but the species generally found in ponds usually take longer, closer to two weeks. As an adult, they generally prey close to where they originated. They track their potential hosts by sight, scent and heat. Some are very picky eaters, possibly only targeting birds or people, while others will draw blood for egg development from anything they can find. Their entire life cycle is roughly a month, which is plenty of time to do a lot of damage.

There are many ways to drastically minimize the amount of mosquito activity on your pond. One of the easiest ways is to keep the water from remaining stagnant by adding a fountain or pump capable of disrupting the surface of the water. Another way is to add specific species of fish. The more fish you have in your pond can play a significant role in reducing mosquito populations. Bass, bluegill and catfish all feed on mosquito larvae. Tadpoles can reduce larvae populations also, and when they become frogs or toads they will consume large amounts of adult mosquitoes. Gambusia affinis, also known as western mosquitofish, can consume massive amounts of larvae, but should be carefully considered. They have a tendency to replace native fish populations due to their aggressive nature and ability to starve other fish during their competition for food.

Altering the environment and structure of the pond is another method to minimize mosquitoes. Vegetation growing in the water and along the edge can create pockets of calm and shady water even if you have a large fountain agitating most of the surface. Overhanging bushes and trees also support ideal shady locations, so clipping these back is a good idea. Areas that flood frequently, but take a couple weeks to dry, along with shallow water, can create a big problem also. Digging shallow areas deeper and eliminating any gradual slope on the embankment is a very good idea; not only will it cut the mosquito population down, it will also help with algae and nuisance vegetation growth as well.

Biological larvicides and other insecticides can be an excellent way to control mosquitoes. There are many formulations for a variety of scenarios, with no known risk s to the environment when applied at the proper rates. Usually this type of treatment will last around a month per application and can be used throughout the breeding season to achieve year-round mosquito control.

Using a combination of these techniques, I wish you a pleasant bite-free walk around your pond. Good Luck!

Visit Virginia Lake Management for more information.

Penny Pinching May be Hurting Your Pond

2009-07-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

by Terry Owens, Environmental Scientist

Over the last couple of months Virginia Lake Management has seen an ongoing trend: requests to reduce the amount of time fountains are running in an effort to lower electricity costs and save money. While economically this makes a lot of sense ecologically it may be setting your pond up for future problems. During the summer months ensuring that your pond has proper aeration is critical to effective pond management. Increases in seasonal temperatures cause stratification of the pond. Stratification is the layering of water in a pond due to temperature differences. Imagine warm shallow water floating on top of colder deeper water. This causes multiple problems. First, the upper warmer layer of water does not hold oxygen very well creating a habitat unsuitable for aquatic life. Secondly during periods of prolonged stratification the deeper water’s oxygen is consumed by the organisms living there. The upper layer acts as a cap not allowing oxygen to be replaced. Over time oxygen levels can become dangerously low and could eventually lead to suffocation of the species living in the waters.

It is these associated problems that make it so important to leave your fountain or aerator running during the summer months. Both systems provide a dual benefit providing both oxygen to the water and breaking those stratified layers. Constant movement of the water by the fountain or aerator keeps the water temperature more uniform not allowing those stratified layers to form. Warmer temperatures result in water loosing its ability to hold oxygen. Increased oxygenation through increased aeration is critical to maintaining healthy levels of oxygen in your pond. It is for these reasons that we do not recommend decreasing the amount of time you run your fountain or aerator.

Ideally, your fountain should run constantly to ensure that it is offering the maximum benefit to your pond. However, if you are truly concerned about the amount of time your fountain is running, there are a few more effective ways of cutting energy without negatively affecting your pond. First, turn off the lights if your fountain has them. Lights offer an aesthetically pleasing aspect to your fountain but offer no benefit to the pond from an ecological standpoint. Simply turning off the lights or reducing the amount of time they are on can lower energy costs without impacting the pond’s health. Setting your fountain’s timer to power off intermittently during the day can also help with energy costs. We advise that these “off” periods last no longer than ten minutes per hour. Spacing out your shut off times for the fountain can lower run time without having as drastic of an effecting on the pond. Most fountain owners are tempted to turn their fountain off at night; however, turning your fountain off for consistently long periods of time each day may be just enough for stratification to occur causing further pond damage.

These are just a few money saving tips that we can offer to help you save some money without sacrificing the health and quality of your pond. Always contact your pond manager if you have any questions about the on-going care of your pond and fountain aeration system.

An Alternate Aeration Solution

2009-07-28T06:31:00.000-07:00

Aeration is the ideal solution to maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Nutrients accumulate in ponds by both runoff and the natural cycle within ponds. Often times these nutrients are utilized by filamentous algae or vegetation, resulting in an unhealthy, unattractive body of water. Ponds also naturally stratify, setting up with a layer of warmer water above a layer of cooler water.

Unfortunately the layer of cooler water is unexposed to atmospheric air, suffocating the bottom half of the pond. As the oxygen depletes, ammonia and nitrite levels increase and within a few months many ponds reduce their living space by 50 percent. Over the course of the summer, the bottom half of many ponds become toxic for most aquatic life. Without oxygen, organic matter accumulates forming a black muck throughout the ponds bottom. This is nature’s natural way of transforming a pond into a wetland.

Aeration is the best tool used to keep ponds healthy and prosperous. Aerating is a form of preventative maintenance that has more benefits than just cutting down on algae growth. Aeration can make or break the health of an ecosystem; and every pond, no matter the location, has a need for aeration. Modern upgrades in technology allow for an efficient, alternative variety of aeration solutions. Windmill aerators are a good alternative source of aeration. With innovative advances in technology windmills can operate more effectively with less maintenance than ever before. Every pond has individual needs and windmill aeration is not the answer for all ponds. In situations where aeration is needed 24/7, electric powered units are the right choice. In situations where nutrients need to be managed and the pond needs to destratify, windmills will work well. Windmills are great in remote locations where electric power is not available or in ponds where intense aeration is not necessary. In some situations teaming windmill units with electric powered aeration systems is a great choice. Many times windmill aeration can provide sufficient aeration throughout the day, but as the wind diminishes throughout the night, powered aeration on a programmable timer could be used to fill the void, reducing electric costs while helping the environment. Windmills can be customized with different color powder coated paints, making them aesthetically pleasing. Also using logos or art work, each windmill can be unique to the individual property.

In an effort to further our commitment to providing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products, Virginia Lake Management now offers wind powered aeration. Outdoor Water Solutions has worked together with a team of engineers to develop the most advanced technology available for wind driven aeration on the market today. “BalCam” technology revolutionizes the industry by significantly increasing the amount of air produced with a single diaphragm utilizing a new balanced camshaft system. These windmills have the longest warranty in the windmill aeration market with a industry leading five year warranty.

A windmill aeration system is an economic, safe, low maintenance and attractive option to reduce sediment and help decompose all organic materials in your pond. Whether you are showing that you support green energy with an aesthetically pleasing model or are using the unit to keep and aquatic ecosystem prosperous, windmill aeration should be considered.

About SonarOne Aquatic Herbicide

2009-07-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

SePRO Corporation is proud to introduce the latest advancement in Sonar formulation innovation…

One Sonar Formulation
One Treatment Program
One Effective Herbicide

Sonar ONE integrates 15 years of research, field expertise and formulation innovation into “ONE” easy to use Sonar pellet. The controlled release profile of Sonar ONE allows the professional applicator to create a prescription that targets and sustains the desired Sonar concentration necessary for routine or precise aquatic plant management programs in ponds, lakes and reservoirs.

For more information on how Sonar One can help your property's lake or pond, contact Virginia Lake Management today!

In the Buff

2009-07-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

by David Ellison

Vegetative buffer zones are important areas along the perimeter of your pond that will provide multiple benefits. Certain plants are chosen and plants needing moisture are placed at the shore to upland dry plants along the land side edge of the buffer. Reducing nutrients entering the pond, stabilizing the pond back, and providing shelter for many animals are some of the benefits of having a buffer zone.

Buffer zones can reduce algae blooms by preventing excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the pond. As water enters the pond the plants assimilate nitrogen and phosphorous and utilize these nutrients for growth. This is vital to overall pond health as excessive amounts of these nutrients often cause algae blooms and lead to poor water quality.

Erosion along pond banks can also decrease water quality when dirt from erosion enters the pond and adds extra nutrients to the pond and creates a turbid aquatic environment. A well maintained buffer will stabilize the substrate and prevent loss of the pond bank. The width of the buffer can vary, but should be more than a couple of feet to allow for multiple plants to protect the pond. Protection from predation is also available for many animals within the buffer zone.

In ponds with extremely shallow banks some aquatic plants will also provide the same benefit as plants along the aquatic-land interface. Pickerelweed is one such plant that takes up excessive nutrients, provides protection for fish and ducks, and is aesthetically pleasing with the purple flowers it produces. Some of the desirable plants in a buffer zone from aquatic to upland plants are pickerelweed, rushes (soft, blue), Japanese silver grass, dwarf fountain grass, and other shrubs at the landward edge of the buffer.

Buffer zones should consist of moisture loving plants along the pond to plants requiring little saturation periods as you near the edge of the buffer. Trees should not be planted in buffer zones as their roots will often eliminate the plants that will be more beneficial in nutrient uptake than trees. Trees already in a buffer zone can remain to help stabilize banks, but should be trimmed so they do not take over the buffer. Also, fewer pesticides are often needed in ponds with well established buffers. Establishment of a buffer zone will provide long term benefits in maintaining a healthy pond.

Invasive Plant Secretes Acid To Kill Nearby Plants And Spread

2009-07-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

Science Daily — Scientists at the University of Delaware have uncovered a hidden weapon that one of the most invasive wetland plants in the United States uses to silently and efficiently “bump off” its neighbors.

The invasive strain of Phragmites australis, or common reed, believed to have originated in Eurasia, exudes from its roots an acid so toxic that the substance literally disintegrates the structural protein in the roots of neighboring plants, thus toppling the competition.

“Phragmites is taking over the marsh world,” said UD plant biologist Harsh Bais. “It's a horticultural disaster.”

In Delaware alone, the tall, tasseled grass has overtaken tens of thousands of acres of wetlands, decreasing biodiversity, reducing the food and habitat available to wildlife, and altering wetland hydrology, transforming marshes once dissected by tidal creeks and open pools into much drier systems with dense monocultures of the plant.

Bais, who led the project, is an assistant professor of plant and soil sciences in UD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and holds an appointment at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. His collaborators included postdoctoral researcher Thimmaraju Rudrappa, undergraduate student Justin Bonstall, and marine botanists John Gallagher and Denise Seliskar, who co-direct the Halophyte Biotechnology Center in UD's College of Marine and Earth Studies.

The results of the research are reported in the Journal of Chemical Ecology.
Bais is an expert on allelopathy, in which one plant produces a chemical to inhibit the growth of another plant. He refers to these plants with the capability to wage chemical warfare as “natural killers.”

Walnut trees, pine trees, ferns and sunflowers are among the plants that release harmful chemicals to prevent other plants from growing too close to them.

However, Phragmites uses this strategy not so much to keep other plants away, but to aggressively conquer them and invade new territory.

“We've seen this capability in a number of invasive plants that have come from Eurasia, such as garlic mustard,” Bais said. “The roots exude a toxin that kills native plants.”

In laboratory analyses at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Rudrappa and Bais used activated charcoal, the material in aquarium filters, to sequester secretions from both invasive and native Phragmites plants. The charcoal attracts and traps organic chemicals.

The scientists identified the toxin produced by Phragmites as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid. Also known as gallic acid, it is used for tanning leather, to formulating astringents.

“It's nasty stuff,” Bais said. “If you get some of it on your skin, you definitely know it.”

The toxin works, Bais said, by targeting tubulin, the structural protein that helps plant roots to maintain their cellular integrity and grow straight in the soil.

Within 10 minutes of exposure to the toxin in the lab, the tubulin of a marsh plant under siege starts to disintegrate. Within 20 minutes, the structural material is completely gone.

“When the roots collapse from the acid, the plant loses its integrity and dies,” Bais noted. “It's like having a building with no foundation--it's on its way to self-destruction.”

The native Phragmites also secretes the toxin, but the exotic strain releases much higher concentrations, which could be a key to its dominance, Bais said.

Today in Delaware, stands of native Phragmites are few and far between. Bais credits Gallagher and Seliskar, who have conducted extensive research on the plant, for growing sterile cultures of the native and exotic strains for his lab tests.

“This research reveals another weapon in the arsenal that Phragmites uses to overtake marshland,” Seliskar said.

“Screening large numbers of marsh plants to identify those that are naturally resistant to invasive Phragmites may be one avenue for preserving the native strain, as well as controlling the invasive's spread,” Bais noted.

With the current discovery in hand, Bais said he hopes to pursue further research to pinpoint exactly how the invasive Phragmites has become such a “super weed.” Such information could help scientists and environmental managers gain a foothold in halting Phragmites' rapid advance across the United States.

“We now know this plant secretes a toxin underground, but could it have a partner in crime?” Bais asks. “Could there be some kind of microbe, a deleterious pathogen, that is associated with this plant? And does this plant use changing environmental systems to its advantage? We just don't know the answers yet, but we'd like to find out.”

The research was sponsored by the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), a partnership of the National Science Foundation, the state of Delaware and Delaware's institutions of higher education. The program is managed by UD's Delaware Biotechnology Institute.

Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by University of Delaware

The Lake and Pond Management “Do-It-Yourself” Dilemma

2009-07-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Junior, Aquatic Ecologist, Virginia Lake Management Company

I often respond to calls from homeowners and property managers who have been working hard to control nuisance vegetation problems in their ponds or lakes, but have been unsuccessful. They have done extensive internet research and have talked to plant “experts” over the phone. Based on the information gathered, they have purchased aquatic herbicides and applied them to their ponds. Others have even taken a more hands-on approach and have tried to manually remove vegetation with rakes or nets. Along with many success stories for these strategies, there are more than a few dismal failures.

The absolute most important component of any nuisance vegetation eradication or control program is the proper identification of the target pest. And while the internet is full of valuable information, there is no substitute for having a qualified professional evaluate the problem. I have visited numerous ponds where owners were complaining of “lily pads” when the problem was actually watershield. It’s very easy to mistake duckweed or watermeal for algae – they all look like “green slime” on the surface of the pond. And there are some species of vegetation, like hydrilla and egeria, that even some experienced ecologists have difficulty distinguishing from one another.

Knowing your pest is essential for identifying the appropriate treatment protocol, and many do-it-yourself pond managers have spent valuable time and money on unsuccessful strategies. For instance, copper-based herbicides are widely available on-line and at local farm cooperatives. However, these are probably the most often misused herbicides. While they do have a fairly broad spectrum, they will not help in every situation, and no amount of copper will control species like watershield or watermeal. I have also visited sites where people were manually harvesting hydrilla, which can reproduce by fragmentation. By implementing that strategy for control, they were unwittingly helping the plant to proliferate. The most tragic failed treatment plans for me are sites where improper herbicide use has resulted in a fish kill.

Chemical herbicides are safe when used for appropriate target pests and in a manner consistent with their label. Aquatic pesticides must go through an EPA registration process that includes comprehensive environmental and laboratory testing before they are released for public use. But inexperienced consumers often misuse the products, applying them to the wrong target pests, using inappropriate application equipment, or applying the wrong amount or concentration of the herbicides.

Professionals dedicated to environmental stewardship will always strive to educate their clients and the public about the fundamentals of sound long-term pond and lake management. Reputable firms will be more than happy to provide free on-site consultation regarding nuisance vegetation problems in your pond or lake. Whether you chose to hire a professional applicator or want to do it yourself, qualified professionals can help you formulate an appropriate strategy to ensure the long-term health of your aquatic resource.

Ponder Thoughts for Summer Pond Management

2009-07-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

If you own a pond on your home or business property, it's important to be prepared for the hot summer months. With this in mind, it is recommend you consider the following tips as you enjoy the summer months on your lake or pond:

1) Summer is not the only time our ponds need help. Although issues seem to "surface" in the warmer months, a year-round maintenance plan is the best thing to ensure a healthy pond all year long.

2) Mosquitoes can ruin summer fun. Think about stocking your pond with minnows or other fish that help to control the mosquito population. This along with larvicides and proper aeration can eliminate a potentially big problem.

3) If you live on a lake bank, remember to respect the natural buffer around the lake and never mow all the way to the water. Also, be sure to keep clippings and other debris out of the water as this adds nutrients and spurs algae growth.

4) Summer is the perfect time to think about aeration. The warmer water temperatures can cause changes to the health of your pond. Keep the cooler water on the bottom constantly circulating and increase oxygen to the aquatic life by adding an effective and cost-efficient aeration system.

If you don't already have one for your pond, a good aeration system will help maintain your pond and keep it clean and attractive throughout the year. Research area lake management businesses to determine which one can assist you in maintaining your property with environmentally friendly products.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia: Bringing Back the Natural Habitat

2009-07-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Eastern Shore is the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula which separates the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. This area of land primarily consists of rural farmland which produces a multitude of agriculture products. Being located on the coast, the Eastern Shore is also a major producer of seafood in Virginia. In order to protect and preserve the natural plants and animals in this region the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has set aside many areas of land, to include all of the barrier islands, as well as two areas of land located at the southern tip of the peninsula which are called the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge and Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge.

This land is being preserved to be a haven for plants and wildlife. These refuges are important to native and migratory land birds and waterfowl. It is imperative that this natural habitat be restored and preserved in order to sustain healthy wildlife populations in these areas.

Exotic invasive plants and organisms can be detrimental to any habitat because they can outcompete and drive away native species. One such invasive plant that has done this is Phragmites australias. When Phragmites invades a wetland it out competes and suffocates the native marsh plants, eliminating that vital habitat for wildlife. Phragmites itself, because of its dense patterns of growth, provides a generally poor habitat for wildlife. It tends to dominate and create a monoculture, thus eliminating essential plant diversity.

In order to restore this habitat, a program of herbicide applications to affected areas has been undertaken to minimize and ultimately eliminate the Phragmites populations in these areas.

By design, these areas are uninhabited and in some cases, completely off limits to man, so accessibility is quite challenging. Amphibious vehicles and other specialty equipment are an essential part of any ground attack on this vegetative invader.

Virginia Lake Management Company is a certified aquatic pesticide applicator in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and as such, was contracted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in a partnership with helicopter applicators to provide the ground application resources required to treat the areas of Phragmites growth that was not able to be treated through aerial applications. As a Cabela’s mapping partner, Virginia Lake Management used GPS mapping technologies to document and provide detailed maps and aerial photography of the areas in which the Phragmites was treated.

Not only did this allow the customer to quantify the acreage of areas treated and evaluate the costs of the project, it also allowed them to track the progress of the program as compared to previous years. This was the second year that Virginia Lake Management was involved in this project, and progress can already be seen. The density of the Phragmites after the first year’s treatment has been decreased, and much of the natural vegetation has started to recover and return to the areas that were once dominated by Phragmites.

As anyone familiar with Phragmites, its durability, and its extremely aggressive patterns of growth can attest, this will be an ongoing effort that will likely take many years. However, with the right treatment, and the proper tools and technology, we are able to make great strides towards our goals of eradication of the Phragmites and the restoration of this beautiful natural habitat.

Kevin Tucker is the president of Virginia Lake Management Company, specializing in pond and Virginia lake management. VLM also controls pond management interests in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

Summer is here...aeration reigns supreme

2009-07-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

As lake managers we are constantly asked what do do about the nuisance algae that troubles so many lakes and ponds. Simple, one word...Aeration. Aeration is the single most valuable tool in water quality management and will on its own mitigate more water quality problems in fresh water lakes and ponds than any other management tool available. Do we have other means to deal with algae? Yes, but none better than aeration.

The best approach is the integration of multiple strategies into a comprehensive plan to manage the lake, but the best starting point will always be aeration!

See you on the lake...Kevin Tucker

Pond Management and Water Quality Control in Cold Weather

2009-07-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

As fall and the cold of winter approach, there are many things that should still be done to maintain the health of our lakes and storm water retention ponds. As the algae and unwanted aquatic vegetation that often times plagues a pond during the warmer months of spring and summer fades away and goes dormant for the winter, it is very common for many homeowners to turn their attention away from their lakes and storm water ponds. What many people do not realize is that what is done, or not done, during these months, can be just as important as what is done with these water bodies during the warmer months of the year.

One of the most significant contributors to water quality problems in a lake or pond is the mass loading of that pond with nutrients that flow in with storm water runoff from yards, sidewalks, driveways, streets, roofs, and all other impervious surfaces within a community. Most people tend to rely very heavily on fertilizers for the lawns and shrubs during the fall. Improper or over application of these products can have very damaging effects on the water to which they flow. All residents within a community and the watershed should pay very close attention to label directions, and make sure that a minimal amount of fertilizer is applied each year.

Communities who have aeration in their ponds, whether it be a floating fountain aerator or a submersed air diffused aeration system, should take this opportunity to perform any routine maintenance that is required. It is imperative that these aeration systems continue to operate all winter long. The benefits of aeration on a pond are not limited to only the warm months.

Additionally, much research has been done over recent years to develop beneficial microbes that are effective in the break down of nutrients and organic buildup in ponds, even during cooler weather. These products work very well in conjunction with aeration to rid the lakes and ponds of the excess nutrient and organic buildup, thus bringing the pond back into an ecological balance, and helping to prevent many potential water quality problems.

Finally, the prevention of sunlight penetration into the water column through the application of dye will help to insure that any unwanted vegetation that sits dormant on the bottom during the winter will be unable to come out of that winter dormancy in the spring.

Most importantly of all, pay attention to your ponds and the environmental practices that surround and affect them. Remember that most problems can be avoided if dealt with properly. The flow of contaminants into our ponds does not stop just because the weather gets cold, so why should our management and stewardship of these ponds stop? Responsible lake and pond management is a year round endeavor.

Kevin Tucker is the president of Virginia Lake Management Company, specializing in pond and Virginia lake management. VLM also manages interests in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

Basic Pond Management For Water Quality

2009-07-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Although all lakes and ponds are unique, there are a few basic management practices that can be used in all fresh water bodies to help improve or prevent water quality problems. In order to understand these concepts more clearly, we must first understand the problems.

In any pond, especially those in which storm water is being collected, the primary issue is the mass loading of that system with nutrients and sediments from fertilizer, leaves, grass clippings, eroded soils, etc. The excess nutrient and organic buildup in a pond will result in algae growth, poor water clarity and appearance, foul odors, and more. Additionally, the inflow of sediments will begin to fill the pond, displace storage capacity, and result in the need for dredging in the future.

To help mitigate these problems, you should maintain desirable grass and other vegetation in all areas directly surrounding the pond, eliminate direct fertilization of the areas immediately adjacent to the pond, and educate all homeowners throughout the entire community to minimize the fertilizer used on their lawns and shrubs. Also, under no circumstances should any grass clippings, leaves, or other organic material be dumped or blown into the gutters, drains, ditches, or ponds. If there is ongoing construction, landscaping, or other soil disturbing activities within the community (watershed), it is imperative that appropriate erosion control measures are in place to prevent sediment in these areas from washing into the storm water system and ultimately into the lake or pond to which that storm water flows.

Even with all of the above mentioned practices, most storm water retention ponds experience nutrient loading that exceeds Mother Nature's ability to handle. Therefore, experienced lake managers will incorporate aeration and the use of various microbial products to help restore and maintain these ponds in an ecologically balanced state.

Proper Pond Management Important For Property Values and Water Quality

2009-07-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Proper storm water pond management always starts with restoring ecological balance. If a pond is balanced, everything else will take care of itself. The goal of pond management should always be to achieve that balance, not to attack individual problems in a piece meal way, seemingly less expensively, but typically more costly over time. Although you can make short term and inexpensive superficial improvements to the appearance of a pond, long term you will spend far more with that "quick fix" mindset.

Storm water ponds are a valuable tool in the filtration of rain water as it flows from our communities into streams, rivers, bays, and oceans. Proper stewardship and management of these ponds is imperative to this mission, not to mention an aesthetic necessity for the community. These aesthetics are typically what drive homeowners associations to pay for pond management, since "eyesore" ponds will typically detract from property values; however, protecting and enhancing the water quality in downstream waters is the main reason that the pond exists

Although all ponds are unique, there are a few basic management practices that can be used in all fresh water bodies to help improve or prevent water quality problems. In order to understand these concepts more clearly, we must first understand the problems.

Managing ponds properly and efficiently over the long term is more about how you manage than the length of time you are managing. Not all good long terms strategies take a long time to implement, and just because you do something many times over a long period of time (like spraying algae with algaecides), does not mean you are necessarily exercising sound long term pond management principles.

If you are fundamentally sound in your long term management plan, you may spend a bit more in the short term, but typically you will spend far less over time, and most importantly, be much more satisfied with the results.

Take a little time to learn the basics about the biological processes that are responsible for the water quality problems in your pond. Then make sure your consultant or contractor of choice educates you on how these processes should be amended to produce the long term results that you are looking to achieve. This will make sure that your pond looks good, property values are not diminished and the downstream waters will maintain good water quality.

Kevin Tucker is the president of Virginia Lake Management Company, specializing in pond and Virginia lake management VLM also manages interests in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

Jim McCulley is the president of JCM Environmental, a full service environmental consulting firm specializing in water quality planning VLM and JCM work in partnership on many pond management projects.

Algae and Pond Management

2009-07-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

As spring and summer start to approach the Mid-Atlantic States so does the algae. Algae can show in many forms and colors. The most common types of pond algae are the green algae types. They are primitive plants closely related to fungi. They have no true leaves, stems or roots and reproduce by means of spores, cell division or fragmentation. It thrives from excessive nutrients in the water and needs sunlight for growth. Green algae are usually found in three forms: planktonic, filamentous, and Macro.

Planktonic algae are microscopic plants, usually suspended in the upper few feet of water. They can cause pond waters to appear pea soup green and natural die-off may cause summer kill of fish due to oxygen depletion. Some species are found to be toxic to livestock and wildlife.

Algae forms greenish mats upon the water's surface. This algae usually begins its growth Filamentous along the edges or bottom of the pond then eventually will take over the entire body, The filaments are made up of cells joined end to end which give the thread-like appearance. Pithophora and Spirogyra are two of most common found.

Pithophora is a dark green filamentous algae and is commonly referred to as cotton ball or horsehair algae. It commonly grows in coarse clumps of tangled filaments resembling small balls of cotton. Individual filaments show extensive branching. Due to its high production of reproductive cells, growth can be very rapid.

Spirogyra is a filamentous algae that can be found in almost every pond or ditch. It gets its name from the spiral form that the chloroplast takes on. Because of its fast reproduction this algae can grow in extensive mats that can cover and choke out and entire pond.

Macro Algae can resemble a flowering plant in that it looks rooted to the ground. In fact they are just attached to a surface. These algae will tend to not top out completely and like all algae it will reproduce very quickly.

Chara is often called musk grass because of its musty garlic-like odor. Chara is a green branched multicellular algae that is often confused with submerged flowering plants. It attaches to the bottom but is not rooted. Chara usually has black ball like structures called sporangia visible during its reproduction stages.

If any questions arise about algae and other aquatic vegetation, please contact your local lake management company.

Winter Pond Management Tips

2009-07-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

Mitigating Nutrient Loading in Your Aquatic System

Eutrophication is the term applied to the natural process of aging in lakes and other freshwater and brackish systems. Human activities can greatly accelerate eutrophication by increasing the rate at which nutrients and organic substances enter aquatic ecosystems from their surrounding watersheds. Agricultural runoff, urban runoff, leaking septic systems, sewage discharges, eroded stream banks, and similar sources can increase the flow of nutrients and organic substances into aquatic systems. These anthropogenic influences can cause algal blooms or the overgrowth of aquatic weeds. While these blooms do not take place during the winter due to reduced water temperature, the body of water can still store limiting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous that will fuel the springtime algal growth spurt.

As a resident or property manager there are several things that can be done to mitigate these effects on your lake or pond. This time of year leaf litter contributes significantly to the nutrient loading in many neighborhood ponds. Keeping fallen leaves out of your body of water can significantly reduce the organic material stored in the system. Composting and recycling yard wastes provides an environmentally responsible alternative to allowing organic materials to be washed into storm water systems. Nothing is more important than minimizing the use of fertilizer throughout the community and surrounding watershed. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so take these small steps to help with the management of your lake in the upcoming year.

Winter Aeration to Prevent Spring Problems

Local ponds and lakes stratify with cooler water to the bottom and warmer to the top during the warmer months. As the weather in Virginia starts to cool so do the local ponds and lakes. As the weather and ponds cool, fall turnover will take place. This is when the top temperature becomes the same as the bottom causing thorough mixing. As winter sets in, these bodies of water will start to stratify again but in the opposite way. Inverse stratification will occur as the top layer becomes cooler than the bottom. Mixing will not occur because water reaches max density at 39'F (4'C). This is when proper aeration can be very important.

Just like summer, proper mixing will be needed to make sure that stratification is broken down and mixing can occur. Aeration running during the winter will help to keep ice from forming on the top by having moving water. This moving water will help the dissolved oxygen levels to remain sufficient. In the event of heavy freezing, winter fish kills can take place by ice forming thick on the top of the pond and blocking out sunlight. This causes the vegetation to die off and use up all dissolved oxygen leading to fish kill. Aeration is very important no matter what the season!

Planning For Your Pond's Future

2009-07-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Many homeowners, association managers, and even pond management professionals spend time and resources each year maintaining their storm water retention ponds and dealing with the immediate problems such as algae, nuisance aquatic weeds, poor water quality, etc. It seems that far fewer people allocate time or resources to the future planning and budgeting necessary to deal with potentially even more significant issues that might arise with these ponds.

One of the "scariest" and most costly expenses that may ever be faced by a homeowner association is that of dredging. Typically, pond owners are told that they should expect to dredge a pond every 20 years. This rule of thumb is OK, but often not accurate enough to be counted on for budgeting purposes.

Have you started to budget for the cost of dredging? Do you have any idea what it will cost you to dredge when that fateful day arrives? Will your pond need to be dredged in 20 years? Maybe it will only be 10 years or maybe you will do better than average and your pond won't need to be dredged for 30 years.

The point is, unless you do some research, evaluate the condition of your pond, and start the planning, you will never know the answer to any of these questions.

The good news for you all pond owners is there are some simple steps that can be undertaken to begin the planning process.

The most important fist step is to perform a bathymetric study of your pond. This is a process by which we use GPS technology combined with depth scanning technology to map the surface of the pond and associated depths of the pond to determine the current bottom contour and depth. This will give you the actual wet storage capacity of your pond at the current time.

Once you have obtained this information, you can then compare this to the original "as built" plans and see how much sediment and debris has accumulated in the pond since original construction. After making this comparison, you can figure what the average yearly sedimentation rate for the pond has been since it was first constructed, and project into the future how much longer you will have until the pond will need to be dredged.

This information is also crucial to your budgeting process. Once you can quantify the amount of sediment that is in your pond to date and how much is anticipated to accumulate in your pond in the future, you will then be able to obtain exact quotations from qualified dredging contractors for removing this sediment. This will take all of the guess work out of your budgeting process, and help to insure that you are prepared for the future.

Fighting the Battle Against Mosquitoes

2009-07-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Most of us have experienced issues with mosquitoes over the years. Mosquito problems plague most of the communities in this region. Any areas containing standing or stagnant water are potentially mosquito breeding grounds. Besides being a general nuisance, mosquitoes are most problematic in that they spread many unwanted and potentially fatal diseases such as the West Nile Virus. It is imperative that property managers and owners work diligently to interrupt the mosquito life cycle by implementing the appropriate mosquito control measures.

Some techniques that individual homeowners can implement on their own to prevent mosquito breeding are as simple as maintaining proper drainage in lawns and on paved areas to prevent standing water. Emptying any planting pots, buckets, or other open containers that might inadvertently collect rain water will also go a long way to preventing mosquito development.

When it comes to your storm water pond or lake, experienced lake managers have many tools at their disposal to help fight the battle against mosquitoes.

The first, and probably the most cost effective, is to simply maintain a healthy population of fish, to include minnows and other fish that eat mosquito larvae in order to support their own growth and development. A regular program of minnow stocking to supplement the natural reproduction of these fish in the pond can yield very good results with respect to mosquito control. The additional availability of small fish in the pond will also provide an excellent food source for the larger fish, and thus support a healthy food chain and potentially a very dynamic sport fish population.

The second method involves the application of "larvaecides" to the pond to help prevent the maturation of the mosquito larvae. Biological larvaecides consist of specific strains of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria that are fatal to the larvae. These biological larvaecides can be very effective, but due to their own fatality rate, and the constant turnover experienced by storm water ponds, they must be applied twice per month during the warm weather months to be effective.

The third, and probably most beneficial option for your pond, is the installation of an aeration / circulation system. The aeration of lakes and ponds has long been the most beneficial tool available for the prevention of algae and overall improvement of water quality. Aeration is also a very effective tool for the prevention of mosquito breeding. Surface spray type aerators such as fountains circulate the water preventing stagnation, and create a surface ripple affect that breaks the surface tension of the water and keeps it from being still enough to be conducive to the survival of mosquito larvae.

As with most management tools, an effective mosquito prevention program works best when using an integrated approach that combines multiple control methods performed in combination with an effective overall lake management program.

The Benefits of a Floating Fountain Or Aeration System For Your Pond

2009-07-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ever considered buying a floating fountain or aeration system, but can't justify the cost? There are a few things which you can look at that will make your decision easier.

From subsurface aeration systems to floating fountains with a wide range of horsepower which display magnificent water patterns, floating fountains and aerators not only bring aeration and beauty to lakes and ponds, but can also help reduce seasonal pests.

As you know, with the warming weather comes that green awful looking algae making your pond unattractive and limiting the recreational uses! And once again it's a season of itching and scratching because those pesky little mosquitoes are back not allowing your children to enjoy summer activities and ruining all outdoor plans! Well, it is time to take control by adding a decorative fountain or aeration system to your pond, which not only will improve the quality and add an aesthetically pleasing look to it, but will also reduce the amount of algae blooms and mosquitoes breeding in your community.

Adding a floating fountain can help to greatly reduce mosquito breeding as they need still water conditions for there eggs to develop. As for algae problems in your pond, aeration promotes the oxidization of nutrients which transforms them into less readily available states and promotes their movement through their natural cycles towards sequestration from the water column not allowing for as many future algae blooms.

It is also important to keep in mind that you can achieve good aeration with a floating fountain, but the more decorative pattern you choose, the more you will reduce the volume of water being pushed out, which is essential for proper aeration and adding oxygen to the water.

Grass Carp - Miracle Fish Or Unwanted Exotic Pest?

2009-07-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

As responsible lake managers, we are tasked with managing lakes and storm water ponds in a manner that is not only cost effective and beneficial for the customer, but also environmentally friendly and ecologically balanced for the specific ecosystem in question. As such, we often implement strategies that are multi-faceted, utilizing the benefits of many tools in combination to get the job done. Ecological balance is rarely obtained by utilizing only one methodology, and without balance, there is rarely good results.

"Biological controls" come in many forms, and refers to the use of natural or biological introductions to a given water body to help achieve a desired management objective. Triploid (sterile) Grass Carp (white amur) are often used by lake owners and managers alike to help control unwanted aquatic vegetation, due to their ferocious appetite for vascular plants growing in or around a lake. These fish are regulated by the VA Dept of Game & Inland Fisheries, and a permit is required in order to have them stocked in your lake or pond. They are also required to be sterile, so that they do not over produce and potentially cause harm to lakes and down stream waters by over eating and destroying the beneficial wetland and aquatic plants that are a vital part of our waterways.

So, what is a pond owner or lake manager to do if they wish to promote biological solutions to their lake problems and minimize the amounts of algaecides and herbicides applied to their water? Should they stock sterile grass carp? The answer is far from simple...

As environmental stewards, we seek to avoid the introduction of exotic plants, fish, or any aquatic life that is non-native and not indigenous to our area, as that will typically upset Mother Nature's balance and cause unintended consequences down the road. Grass carp are not native to North America, so we have to be careful if we decide to use them as a management tool. The fact that they are sterilized at the time they are grown is a step in the right direction, but other measures need to be considered.

First, do not over stock. A lake or pond is not supposed to be a "bathtub", baron of all forms of vegetation. 20-30% coverage of native aquatic and wetland plants is needed for a healthy and balanced pond. Beneficial shoreline vegetation along with some of the native submersed species should be supported and allowed to prosper. Therefore, if using grass carp to control unwanted aquatic weeds and vegetation, you should only stock enough to eat a particular quantity of plants per day, but not enough to wipe out all of the plants that inhabit the pond.

Second, if your pond has an outflow device that would allow the fish to escape during heavy flow after significant rain events, then you should install a screening structure in front of that outflow to prevent the fish from swimming down stream. The grass carp are drawn to fast moving / flowing water, and would likely leave the pond at the first chance if conditions were right. Not only would you have wasted your money and efforts if the fish escape, you will have also created the potential for down stream destruction of valuable aquatic habitats, something that must be prevented at all costs.

Finally, grass carp are primarily bottom feeders. As such, they have a tendency to stir up the sediment on the bottom. Often times in shallow ponds, this results in excessive turbidity (cloudy, dirty, brown looking water). Even if they eat all of your unwanted weeds, if you end up with a dirty looking pond all the time, all you have done is replace one problem with another.

There are many other things to consider when stocking fish of all types. When managing a lake, these and all other parameters should be considered while formulating a long term plan. A little education and foresight goes a long way towards achieving the desired results and overall satisfaction, while minimizing unwanted environmental impacts.

Winter on Our Lakes & Ponds

2009-07-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

Winter is a wonderful time to make some improvements to your lake or pond that will pay huge dividends next spring. It is the perfect time to sit down and evaluate the problems from the previous year, and devise a plan to mitigate those problems for the coming year. Most aquatic problems can be dealt with most effectively when they are addressed early in the spring, before they have a chance to get out of control.

The first thing one might wish to consider during the winter months is to perform a thorough evaluation of the physical characteristics of the pond. Identify erosion problems, areas where leaves or other organic matter seem to be loading the pond, inspect outflow structures for damage, locate areas of significant sedimentation, identify any areas that might have been damaged by muskrats, nutria, beavers, or other nuisance critters, etc. Inexpensive pond mapping procedures can be performed using GPS technology and pictures to provide lake and pond owners with all of this information in a very simple and easy to use format.

Additionally, winter is the ideal time to perform bathymetric procedures, where the surface area of the pond is mapped and the bottom depths are sampled and plotted on this map. This will tell us the overall volume of the pond, and when compared to previous jobs or as built drawings of the pond, will allow us to determine the sedimentation rate over time. Once we calculate this rate, we can then forecast when a lake or pond might need dredging.

Once armed with all of this information, a plan can be formulated, costs identified and prioritized, budgets adjusted, and reserve funding established as needed to deal with the problems before they get worse. Careful inspection and planning will often times prevent or mitigate the need for costly repairs at a later date.

Preparing Your Pond For Spring

2009-07-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Our lakes and ponds tend to be forgotten about during the winter months, as most problems that we experience during the summer months are usually not evident during colder weather. This does not mean that all the problems of the previous summer have gone away. Rest assured, they will usually resurface when the weather warms up with the coming of spring.

One of the best tools we have to deal with the water quality issues in ponds is aeration. It is never too early or too late to consider enhancing your pond through the installation of aeration. Aeration comes in many forms, but the two most common are floating fountain aerators and submersed air diffused aeration systems. Each has its benefits, and often times both types of aeration can be used in combination to maximize these benefits to the pond.

Year round aeration is the single best management practice available to lake and pond owners. There is an inverse relationship between temperature and the total level of dissolved oxygen that water can hold. As water temperatures increase, the dissolved oxygen levels in the pond will naturally decrease. However, when the water temperature decreases, the dissolved oxygen levels in the pond will naturally rise. You can further enhance this increase in dissolved oxygen by running the aeration system during colder temperatures, thus adding even more dissolved oxygen to the water at a time when it is naturally able to accept more.

Additionally, if you already have surface aeration in place, you should consider allowing it to run 24 hrs a day, as the benefits of aeration to a lake or pond are actually higher at night. The photosynthesis and other biological processes at work in the pond during the day when there is direct exposure to sunlight actually help's to naturally improve the dissolved oxygen levels in the water. At night, or on extremely cloudy days, the lack of sunlight slows down these processes, typically resulting in lower dissolved oxygen levels in the pond. The benefits of running your aeration system at night are profound, so put some thought into leaving it on all night.

If you have not been thinking about your pond lately, now is the time to start. Spring will be here before you know it!

Pond Management Can Help Reduce Our Environmental Footprint

2009-07-10T10:15:00.001-07:00

We all want to leave this world in better condition than we found it. It's not uncommon to see major corporations and even smaller businesses turning to green practices to help reduce waste and stress on the environment. For those who own property with man made lakes and waterways, it's important to apply the same principles to their maintenance.

In searching for a company to handle your lake or pond management, you'll want to note the following traits:

Do they recycle all paper and plastic waste generated through their daily operations?
Is all of the cardboard that they receive in the way of boxes and shipping cartons either reused for outbound shipping or recycled?
Do they produce their own marketing materials, newsletters, and other company publications on paper that includes recycled materials?
Is all of the algaecide, herbicide, and other plastic containers used triple-rinsed following use and transported to a recycling facility to be shredded, ground up, and sent to manufactures for re-use in the production of new plastic products.?
Is all herbicide and algaecide rinsate from the cleaning of plastic containers and spray equipment collected and re-used in future treatments so as to eliminate all waste and eliminate potentially adverse impacts on the environment in non-target areas?
Does all fountain equipment use food-grade oil as the means for cooling the motors that run the equipment, eliminating any chance for leaks of toxic petroleum based lubricants into the lakes and ponds in which these fountains operate?
Are all used oils collected and sent to recyclers who filter, clean, and reuse it in the production of new oil products?

The more you know about the lake management business you hire, the more secure you'll feel in knowing you've done your part to help the environment.

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