 Many property owners start out believing that a natural body of water will take care of itself on its own. After all, ponds have existed for many years in the wild, and it seems like they should naturally maintain a balanced aquatic ecosystem. The issue is that ponds don’t always take care of themselves when they exist on inhabited land. Chemical run off from landscaping projects and changing weather conditions can cause ponds to start to fail. Even human activity such as fishing or picnicking near the area can alter a pond’s health. Figuring out if working with a pond management company is worth the investment is easy when you consider these benefits that regular maintenance provides.
Improve Drainage Around Your Property Ponds are frequently used as a collection site for stormwater runoff. This provides a more aesthetic way to redirect water away from your property, but it might stop working if the perimeter of the water develops too many weeds or other types of debris. A maintenance plan can help you keep the entry points to the pond open so that the feature can do its primary job of protecting the rest of your property. Avoid Potential Public Nuisance Violations An unhealthy pond in the wild might go unnoticed except for the occasional hiker or person who wants to go fishing. However, they can become a major nuisance in populated areas. A failing pond often develops a foul odor that is noticeable from many yards away. Mosquitos and other pests are also drawn to stagnant water. If you live in an area with an HOA or other community governing bodies, then ignoring an unhealthy pond could land you in hot water with your neighbors. Lake management companies in Florida can help you keep the water in good condition so that you can avoid hefty fines and public embarrassment. Create an Attractive Recreational Oasis Take a moment to really look at your pond and think about ways that you can improve it. Perhaps your pond is stagnant due to poor water and air circulation. Adding a fountain can turn your pond into a major focal point. When the pond is regularly maintained, you can also look forward to going there to fish, ride your bike or even enjoy a picnic with your family. Being able to turn your pond into a recreational feature makes the investment in a maintenance company worth every penny. Increase Real Estate and Property Values A poorly maintained pond can send your home or commercial property’s value plummeting down the drain, but sprucing it up can send it soaring. If you plan to sell your property anytime soon, then you’ll want to make sure that the pond is in good shape. This initial investment in the pond can yield you thousands of dollars more in the asking price you set for your property down the road. Planning to revive an unhealthy pond several weeks in advance of a property sale is best for getting the most out of your investment since it gives the treatments time to work. An effective pond management plan begins with water testing and treatments to restore clarity and cleanliness. Then, you’ll work with a technician to develop an ongoing maintenance plan that reduces weeds and keeps any fish in the pond healthy and at manageable numbers. With a little time and professional assistance, you can have a water feature on your property that you are proud to show off to the community.
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 Your community's stormwater pond plays an essential role. They provide a beautiful focal point for your neighborhood, as well as a place for residents to enjoy recreation and social activities. They also serve some very practical purposes. Stormwater ponds collect and store runoff from heavy storms. They also aid in the improvement of water quality. They can prevent flooding to downstream waterways and even reduce pollution.
People may not be aware of the benefits of stormwater ponds, but they most certainly notice when problems arise such as an overgrowth of algae and weeds or the disappearance of water life. The underlying conditions that lead to these issues can be hard to determine, especially by those without understanding of stormwater management. If your community is struggling with such problems, read on to learn why monitoring the structure of your stormwater pond is so important and how you can improve the situation. Bodies of water like lands and ponds are often man made to serve various purposes such as irrigation, recreational use, drinking water and more. Stormwater management is a crucial need in residential communities, and your stormwater pond can do a great job of maintaining water levels in order to avoid flooding. These bodies of water do require specific care to thrive. A stormwater maintenance facility is needed in order to properly filter away debris and regulate water levels. Regular monitoring can detect problems such as structural damage, water loss, and algae bloom that can be costly to repair. Responsibility for this upkeep typically lies with pond owners. Understanding your community's specific duties associated with pond management can be quite a challenge, especially when responsibility is shared with a governmental entity or locality. Your community's Stormwater Maintenance Agreement that breaks down these responsibilities is usually located with your locality if you don't have a copy within your organization. Seeking the support of stormwater management companies in Florida can help you to better take care of your responsibilities. These professionals understand what is needed for proper pond upkeep. They also know how to best meet inspection requirements. They can inspect your stormwater management facility on a regular basis, including any pipes that are present, in order to detect potential issues before they become big problems. The detection of such problems allows them to be proactively addressed, rather than waiting for a costly disaster to occur. Your stormwater maintenance company is able to perform comprehensive monitoring and annual assessments to discover any concerns and determine solutions specific to the problem. Aeration, nanobubble technology, aquatic weed and algae management, strategic erosion control, nutrient remediation and biological augmentation are just some of the techniques such experts can apply. They will keep your community's unique needs, goals, and budget in mind in order to develop customized strategies that address and rectify presenting concerns, saving you money and frustration over the course of time.  Murky lake water isn’t just an eyesore; it’s usually a sign of serious underlying issues. Therefore, if the water in your pond or lake has become turbid, cloudy, or murky, it’s crucial to enlist the help of lake management companies in Florida right away. Through techniques like aeration, shoreline stabilization and hydro-raking, cloudy water issues can be resolved quickly and effectively, ensuring that your lake or pond remains a positive asset.
Why Does Lake and Pond Water Get Murky? Everyone loves a clear, sparkling pond or lake. When the water becomes cloudy, murky and stagnant, however, the pond or lake becomes more of a liability. This issue is often a sign of high sediment levels, which are triggered by things like pollution and erosion. In addition to being unsightly, murky water is a haven for foul odors, nuisances like mosquitoes and the overgrowth of invasive weeds. As excess sediment builds up in the water, muck starts accumulating at the bottom. This muck largely consists of algae, fertilizers, lawn clippings and plants whose decomposition has been inhibited, and that usually happens when dissolved oxygen levels are too low. How to Resolve Murky Pond or Lake Water Issues Since low levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes and ponds play a major role in the development of cloudy, murky water, introducing more oxygen can effectively combat the problem. Lake management companies in Florida use solutions like floating fountains and submerged aerators to integrate and circulate more oxygen into ponds and lakes. Floating fountains aerate and circulate water near the surface while submerged aerators integrate water and oxygen movement from the bottom up, helping to resort the balance of the overall water column. As useful as adding more dissolved oxygen can be for combating murky water, it does nothing to directly address large buildups of muck at the bottom of lakes and ponds. However, a cutting-edge technique called, oxygen saturation technology, or OST, can expedite the breakdown of accumulated sludge by introducing oxygen directly into it. Hydro-raking, which involves using a floating barge with a backhoe to scoop massive amounts of muck and debris from the bottom of lakes and ponds, is one of the most effective ways to keep the issue in check. The debris is piled along the banks of the pond or lake where it can decompose more readily. Other techniques can be used to address existing murky water issues and to ward off future ones. For example, native, deep-rooted buffer plants can be planted around a lake or pond to stabilize the shoreline and reducing erosion. These plants also help filter polluted runoff from rainstorms, keeping many pollutants from reaching the water. Weakened banks can be stabilized with tools like knitted mesh, which is used to anchor and reshape eroding shorelines. Another solution, nutrient remediation, involves introducing products that bind to excess nutrients in the water. This keeps them from promoting the growth of unsightly algal blooms, which are driven by planktonic algae.  Winter will be here before you know it. Is your pond or small lake ready? Whether you manage ponds on a golf course, a private residence or elsewhere, it’s crucial to remember that these bodies of water don’t maintain themselves. Particularly over the long, cold winter months, small bodies of water can develop issues that only become more severe when spring arrives. Therefore, it pays to find lake management companies in Florida to help keep everything in good shape.
Some tips for preparing a pond or small lake for the winter months include:
By taking a proactive approach to winterizing your pond or small lake, you can save money and avoid severe, more complicated issues. Get started today to ensure that your pond is ready to go when warm weather returns.  Almost all ponds and lakes will have some type of build-up, regardless of whether it's harmful aquatic plants or debris. While it's important to do what you can to prevent this from happening, there's a good chance that your pond or lake will be taken over by stubborn species. In this case, you'll want to use a few different machines to get your pond or lake back in shape. Take a look below to see 5 tools used by some of the top lake management companies in Florida to get rid of these nuisances.
1. Fountain As simple as adding a fountain may sound, they actually provide a lot of added benefits. By continuously having water moving, it deters nuisances such as algae and weeds from growing. This movement of water can also help with mosquitoes around your lake or pond as they breed in stagnant water. An added bonus is how a fountain can make your pond or lake that much more beautiful and enjoyable to others. 2. Aerators Sometimes, you can clear your lake or pond by simply balancing out the oxygen levels. In these cases, an aerator is a perfect machine for the job. Basically, the machine moves the water around to introduce more airflow into the lake or pond. There are a few different kinds of aerators that can be used and you want to make sure you choose the right one for your specific pond or lake. 3. Skimmers Not only can the water collect stuff underneath the surface, but it can also get a build-up on top. This might seem like it's just unsightly, but it can suffocate good vegetation and even harm aquatic life. These machines are giant skimmers that remove any build-up on top of the surface or just below it. In addition to picking up natural debris like algae, it can also get rid of things like plastic or trash. 4. Mechanical Harvester Another great tool for pond and lake management is a mechanical harvester. It's a giant barge that floats on the water and cuts any bad vegetation or algae. Once it's cut, the machine operator will either deposit the materials on the bank or into some kind of container. It's a great way to get rid of the bad vegetation while leaving the good. 5. Drone Technology One last tool that can be a huge help is drone technology. Using a drone will allow you to see a large amount of the lake or pond at one time. Not only will this give you an idea of what kind of materials you’ll need to remove, but it’ll also help you figure out which machines you’ll need to use. There are many different drones with varying technologies, so it’s important to figure out which one will work best for you. If you can't get things under control after using these machines, you might need to reach out to some of the most reputable lake management companies in Florida. They'll have all of the tools and knowledge needed to get your lake or pond issues taken care of! Reach out today with any questions or concerns!  Stormwater originates from precipitation, such as rain and snowmelt. When it doesn't evaporate or soak into the soil, stormwater contributes to surface runoff. As stormwater runoff flows, it picks up and transports pollutants along the way, including fertilizers, pesticides, litter, pet waste, and debris.
Polluted stormwater causes numerous problems for the environment, such as wildlife habitat loss, the degradation of our lakes and rivers, the killing of fish and other aquatic life, and the overgrowth of algae in our waterways. Follow these tips to protect our waterways and help prevent stormwater pollution. Never Dump Anything Down a Storm Drain Rainwater and snow or ice melt are the only things that should flow into storm drains. Storm drains are a direct link to your local streams, lakes, and rivers, so you should never dispose of any substances into a storm drain, including leaves, yard waste, or even the water you use while washing your car. Be Cautious with Fertilizers and Lawn Treatments If you choose to fertilize your lawn or use other types of lawn treatments, be sure to use them sparingly and always follow the directions. It's also important to apply them well in advance of a rainstorm. This can greatly reduce the risk of these chemicals being carried away by rain runoff and making their way into our waterways. You can also consider using organic fertilizer that's less harmful to the environment. Always Pick Up Pet Waste Pet waste that's left on sidewalks, streets, or in your yard can easily end up in your local waterways. This can add harmful bacteria into the water and contribute to the overgrowth of algae, which can be harmful to both animals and people. Maintain Your Car Regularly check your car for any leaking fluids, and have your car repaired promptly if it's leaking oil. Oil dripping onto the road can enter storm drains and wash into the waterways during a rainstorm. If you perform your own car maintenance, be sure to properly dispose of motor oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids. Use Rain Barrels Rain barrels are designed to collect and store water from your roof and gutters that would otherwise run off your property and end up in storm drains. In addition to reducing the impact of stormwater runoff on our waterways, you can use the water collected by rain barrels to water your lawn and garden. Maintain Your Septic System Make sure your septic system is regularly pumped and inspected. A septic system that leaks or is improperly maintained can allow harmful bacteria into storm drains and local waterways. Be Careful Where You Wash Your Car Instead of washing your car in the driveway, consider washing it on gravel or a grassy area that can absorb the water before it enters a storm drain. Whenever possible, use a soap that is both phosphate-free and biodegradable to wash your car. Better yet, consider taking your car to a car wash, where the wastewater is either recycled or pumped to a treatment plant.  Biochar tech can mitigate climate change and bolster soil quality while simultaneously cutting down on waste and generating energy in the process. This article is concerned with fully explaining what biochar is and how it is a positive for the environment.
What Is It? Biochar is a charcoal-like material that is created by burning "biomass," organic substances from agricultural or forest waste like leaves and tree limbs, through "pyrolysis." While it may resemble charcoal, biochar minimizes contamination and safely stores the resulting carbon; wood chips, leaves and other dead plant matter get burned up in a vessel containing minimal oxygen and converted into stable biochar with hardly any fumes. The end result is a light, porous and grainy black chunk; roughly 70% of the stuff is pure carbon, followed by nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. The earliest evidence of biochar goes back two millennia ago with the Amazon basin's "terra preta." While we are unsure if its use was intentional, we do know that terra preta-infused soil was significantly more fertile than the rest of the Amazon. Furthermore, plants found in that soil grew quicker and more nutritious than other local plants. Lastly, those terra preta soils still retain carbon. Making Biochar The quality of the materials affects the final biochar product; the ideal "feedstock" would contain 10-20% moisture and high amounts of lignin. Contaminated feedstocks can transfer their contamination into the soil, upping soil pH and/or stopping plants from absorbing minerals. Biochar can be made to any scale, from cheap, small-scale operations with a stove to massive industrial pyrolysis plants. Top-lift updraft biochar machines are the most common means by which farmers produce biochar. Soil degradation is a big issue for agriculture and biochar has been suggested as a solution for things like:
Biochar also helps with composting by retaining nutrients otherwise lost in composting, cutting greenhouse gases and accelerating the process by exciting microbial activity. It also minimizes ammonia loss and odor. On Improving Soil The rate of application and prep work for biochar depends on the soil and specific biochar. Common knowledge suggests blending biochar with compost materials to give it nutrients and useful organisms. An Environmental Solution Biochar is a simple material with grand benefits. For example, manufacturing biochar can hold billions of tons of carbon within the soil for thousands of years. Another benefit would be lowering groundwater pollution, cutting the costs to filter water and making crop farming more profitable. It can even help food security by upping crop yields and water retention in drought-prone regions. On Carbon Sequestering and Climate Change Biochar production lessens carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, converting unstable carbon sources into a stable final product. Put otherwise, the feedstocks that create biochar would otherwise add to the atmosphere's carbon dioxide level. Turning those feedstocks into an oxygen-nonreactive form means that biochar lessens carbon dioxide.  Lakes are ubiquitous in Florida. Natural and man-made, small and large, manicured and wild, they dot the landscape like rhinestones on a Dolly Parton gown. And though attractive, all those lakes require upkeep — because untamed bodies of water can easily mutate into unruly quagmires. Before you know it, you’ll be battling a formidable marine environment, which can be costly.
Why You Need Vegetation Control in Your Lake Failing to control pond and lake vegetation can make them inaccessible. Boating, fishing, and swimming become a dangerous hassle in neglected waters. Marine life also suffers. In worst-case scenarios, certain species may die off due to excessive aquatic vegetation. Weed Removal Techniques So how do you keep things under control in your lake, pond, or stream? Traditionally, landscapers and groundskeepers use three techniques to manage aquatic vegetation. Mechanical Weed Control The most environmentally friendly method of aquatic vegetation control is mechanical weed removal, which simply means removing underwater plants by hand. But it’s an unpleasant job that takes a very long time and costs a fortune. After all, mechanical weed control requires paying people to wade in the water for hours on end to pick up seaweed. It’s also inefficient because the vegetation continues to grow during the picking process. So once you’re done, the cycle starts all over again. Biological Weed Control Another eco-friendly aquatic weed control method involves stocking lakes with fish that consume heaps of vegetation, like the Triploid Grass Carp and Mozambique Tilapia. A single Triploid Grass Carp can provide 10 to 13 years of vegetation control. They get unfettered access to leafy pond weeds — their version of caviar — and the water stays under control. It’s a win-win. Similarly, Mozambique Tilapias enjoy algae and floating vegetation, like duckweed. Since the species can’t survive in waters cooler than 55 degrees, marine control specialists stock lakes with Mozambique Tilapias in the spring when the pond water is over 60 degrees. What makes this method somewhat less environmentally sound than the manual method is that you’re introducing fish species to a body of water in which they may prove intrusive and crowd out other native animals. However, under the supervision of a trained professional, it’s typically not a problem. Chemical Weed Control Though it’s the least eco-aware option, chemicals are the most cost-effective. A single person with a commercial tank can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Moreover, not all chemicals are dangerous and destructive, and most companies now use formulas with minimal environmental impact. Apartment complexes and homeowners with pond features are wise to use lake management companies in Florida instead of doing it themselves. The professionals have the expertise to ensure everything goes smoothly.  Take pride in the environmental water features on your property that make it a unique and special place. Whether it's a body-of-water or waterway that's natural or man-made, utilize the professional expertise of environmental companies in Florida to keep water assets healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Let's take a look at five top services performed by our licensed, certified experts for beautifully maintaining and preserving lakes, ponds, wetlands, and other waterways.
Erosion Control You've got a lot invested in your land so don't let it slip away (literally), because of erosion that's preventable. Weather conditions from mild to wild cause erosion in minutes and over time. Wind, waves, and stormwater runoff pummels shorelines and can even destabilize homes. Highly trafficked areas, whether frequented by humans or livestock also cause erosion. Our state-certified eco-solutions stabilize, restore, and beautify your water assets. One method, our three-step process starts with environmentally beneficial geo-tubes filled with sediment we retrieve on site. Once filled, these geo-tubes are used to form a natural barrier along the shoreline. Finally, we establish native plants and grasses over the geo-tubes. Indigenous vegetation from our own nursery or by aquatic harvesting creates powerful root systems that help hold this barrier in place. Dredging Is your pond or lake getting shallower due to accumulating silt or debris? Would you like to deepen, expand, or reclaim a waterway for a boat dock, pier, or bridge? We have appropriate dredging equipment to suit the job, large or small. Removing contaminated debris is also great for maintaining a viable, flourishing ecosystem. Biochar Toxic algae bloom creates huge problems in all types of waterways. It's lethal to fish and other aquatic wildlife. Also, you want don't want family or pets swimming in a toxified lake, pond, or river. Quick action is crucial and organic biochar, derived from wood is an effective solution. Similar to activated charcoal, it enables us to safely rid waterways of this eco-hazard. Wetland Mitigation Maintaining healthy wetlands is good ecological stewardship with positive impacts for your land or business, even increasing property value. Environmental companies in Florida know the importance of establishing a littoral shelf that absorbs contaminants and minerals from stormwater before they reach major waterways. Establishing indigenous aquatic vegetation within the littoral zone prevents erosion and beautifies your water asset; it also provides habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Stormwater Inspection Being proactive with more frequent storm inspections than is required by Florida agencies enables us to identify issues before they become costly problems. It's also likely you'll pass those required state inspections without a hitch. Plus, the bio-data we collect enables us to monitor key elements of your water asset's ecosystem including water quality, aquatic vegetation, muck depth and more. This enables us to adjust your waterway's management plan as needed. Whether your property is commercial or private, discover all the ways environmental companies in Florida like Crosscreek Environmental can enhance your water attractions and help them thrive so you can derive greater enjoyment from your natural surroundings.  Soil erosion in Florida tends to happen very slowly over time and many times people won't even notice that it's happening until it becomes an issue. With that said, though, it can also happen very quickly when you least expect it. Not only can this cause damage to property, but it can also make the water source look unappealing or cause various wildlife to lose their homes. To help you find the best erosion control companies in Florida, we've listed the most common types of erosion for the area, as well as provided some tips for preventing or slowing down future erosion.
Types of Erosion in Florida The four main types of soil erosion in Florida include rainfall and surface runoff, water erosion, tunnel erosion, and bank erosion. Take a look below to learn more about these types. 1. Rainfall & Surface Runoff This is one of the main types of soil erosion in Florida and happens due to rainfall. There are four main ways rainfall causes erosion, which we talk about below. Rill Rills are around 12 inches deep and are shallow drain lines. As the water flows through overtime, the soil begins to break apart and get washed down the stream. While it might not be a big deal now, it can lead to hills and divots that can cause a lot more damage. Splash This happens when the raindrops hit the soil causing it to separate into several smaller pieces. The little pieces will sit as a crust on top of the soil until wind or water comes and washes it away. This is a big issue in those areas that get excessive amounts of rainfall. Gully Gully erosion is the one that causes the most damage and makes it extremely difficult to save the area. It happens when there's a lot of runoff happening in one place. Examples include springs or small waterfalls. As the water comes down, it has enough force to take chunks of soil away. It can go anywhere from 2m to 15m deep. Sheet This type of erosion happens when something like runoff or heavy rain happens. They cause a thin layer of soil to come loose and be washed away. It usually happens slowly over a period of time and isn't obvious until a large amount of soil gets washed away. Areas that don't have any coverage from vegetation or plants will lose soil quicker than those with. 2. Water Erosion This type of erosion happens as water flows along the same path over a period of time. These will start as vertical valleys that are shaped like a V, then they will become steeper over time. Once the water hits the bottom, the erosion will start going sideways. 3. Tunnel Erosion Tunnel erosion happens as water goes through small cracks or holes and washes away bits of soil. As time goes on and more water flows through, the tunnel becomes both wider and deeper. 4. Bank Erosion The final type of erosion is bank erosion, which is when the banks of ponds or lakes start getting washed away. While this happens over time, flooding can cause it to happen faster and some banks can be completely washed away. How to Prevent Erosion Listed below is a bullet list that includes a few tips for helping prevent soil erosion. As long as you have a water source located on your property, you won't have to get any kind of special clearances to do any of these.
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AuthorAt Crosscreek Environmental, we believe in providing a comprehensive, environmentally friendly approach in creating solutions to maintain the beauty and health of Florida's ponds, lakes, wetlands, and shorelines. We use the B.E.S.T.™ geo-tube solution and are one of the best geo-tube solution providers in the state of Florida. Archives
November 2021
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