Just as you need oxygen for your health, so does a body of water. Fountains and aeration systems are a key element to maintaining the health of your lake. They help to prevent the loss of fish due to an accumulation of algae. Growth of algae can easily overtake your body of water if it's not kept in check. This is particularly true in the summer months due to the fact that warm water is able to hold less oxygen than cold water can. That's why it's particularly important to enlist the services of pond management companies in Florida for quality aeration systems.

Commonly-used forms of aeration are submersed diffused air systems and surface aerating fountains. Both of these tools add significant amounts of oxygen to the water and circulate it throughout the entire area. Submersed air diffusers work by using a compressor that pumps air through tubes to release air bubbles from below the surface. Fountains aerate the lake by spraying surface water upward, allowing that water to splash down and create bubbles. Both systems have their advantages, depending on your preferences and needs.

Submersed diffused aerators usually do their work just above the bottom of your lake. They pump air from the water's surface downward, breaking the airstream into much smaller diffuse bubbles. These bubbles are dissolved into the water column and pushed upward to charge the water with this dissolved oxygen. The effervescent bubbles are released at the bottom and rise to the top, providing numerous lake benefits.

As the name implies, surface aerators work at the top of the water, agitating and circulating the water near the surface. A pump is used to pull water from the upper layers of the lake and push it up to the surface, making a bell or mushroom-shaped effect. Though they may be reminiscent of a fountain, these types of aerators are meant to move water away from the aeration unit to spread oxygen throughout the water, rather than pushing it upward for merely aesthetic purposes.

Which works best for you will depend upon which type of body of water you have and its unique characteristics. Shallow ponds might be better suited by a fountain's aeration. That's because A fountain's aeration primarily occurs on the surface and doesn't need to penetrate much depth in order to work properly. On the other hand, a deeper lake will require a device that allows for more consistent and widespread aeration. That's why you'll probably want to consider a submersed diffuser for deep water aeration.

As you can see, lake aeration systems are vital for the health and beauty of your water. The one that works best for you will depend upon the depth and type of water feature you have on your property.

If you have a stormwater pond on your property or are maintaining a pond at a specific site, it may not be as effective as you expect at times. In some cases, there may be repairs or maintenance that needs to be performed to make it function better each season. If you want to improve the functionality and operation of your stormwater pond, there are a few secrets to consider trying out to avoid issues.

1. Create a Healthy Safety Bench

Not only are safety benches effective in preventing people from falling into the water, but they can also improve the design of the stormwater pond. Most of these ponds have one or two benches present and can prevent algae from growing, specifically in wet areas.

2. Repair Cracked Concrete

Perform a thorough inspection and look for areas where cracks may be present in the concrete, which can lead to more severe issues over time. Immediately repair any areas where damage may be present. It's also necessary to clean out the grates and remove any waste or debris that may be blocking water. You can also look for any areas where erosion may be present where the pipe and structure connect to replace or repair the materials.

3. Add Emergency Spillways

Emergency spillways are extremely effective in protecting the embankment when there's too much rainfall in a short amount of time. It causes some of the discharge to move in another direction to prevent too much pressure on some of the critical structures and the overall system. Use stone or light vegetation on the spillway for added efficiency.

4. Add a Vegetative Buffer

One of the main issues that come with maintaining a stormwater pond is dealing with waste and debris that can enter the water. Consider adding a vegetative buffer on the pond or lake embankment to block and filter the trash. This will also be useful in preventing the soil from rain splash erosion.

Avoid using any large trees, which can lead to issues when the roots start to lead to erosion around the water. Adding smaller shrubs is more ideal and isn't too heavy or obtrusive in the ground.

5. Clear Sediment and Debris

Improve the effectiveness of a stormwater pond by clearing away sediment, debris, and leaves that can block water from flowing through the different channels when it rains. Inspect the ends of the pipes where blockages are more common, which can cause water to flood into a street. Unfortunately, this can affect buildings and can cause water to enter the structures, leading to damage. Inspect the swale and riprap channels to check for any trees to ensure there's sufficient flow of the water.

By making a few adjustments to your stormwater pond during the warmer months of the year, it can prepare you for the fall and winter seasons when there's more rainfall. You can decide which improvements need to be made and budget accordingly.

When you look out at a pond or lake, you undoubtedly notice many plants in and around the water. While they may look harmless, the fact is at least some of the plants you are seeing are known as invasive aquatic weeds, which can do substantial damage to a lake or pond over time. From being a threat to wildlife to interfering with stormwater management and even recreational activities, it is imperative invasive aquatic weeds be managed and eradicated by lake and pond management companies in Florida, which have the necessary knowledge, skills, and equipment to do so. If you are unsure as to which types of weeds are invasive and how they take up residence in a pond or lake, here is some key information to remember.

Where Do These Weeds Come From?
Surprisingly, there are many ways in which invasive aquatic weeds can find their way to a pond or lake. In some situations, a strong storm that brings with it flooding or strong winds can carry with it plants or seeds that ultimately take hold in a pond or lake. Other examples of how these invaders appear include bird migration, recreational boats, and industrial shipping. Once these weeds arrive, they often have few if any natural predators or competition, allowing them to multiply rapidly.

How Can These Weeds be Controlled?
Once invasive aquatic weeds find their way to your pond or lake, getting rid of them can be difficult, but not impossible. However, since there may be multiple species present in and around the water, knowing which eradication methods to use can be tough. In most cases, you can try hand-pulling, cutting, burning, or even mechanical harvesting. Yet no matter what methods you use, they usually need to be repeated over a multi-year period to make sure weeds are completely gone from your pond or lake. If you have questions as to whether plants in and around your pond or lake are in fact invasive species, consult with an aquatic plant nursery in Florida.

What about Herbicides?
If physical removal efforts don't produce satisfactory results, select herbicides can be used to target such invasive aquatic weeds as hydrilla, water hyacinth, crested floating heart, and many others. In most cases, a new type of herbicide known as ProcellaCOR can be used to solve the problem. Shown to offer far less risk to the surrounding environment and native plants than other herbicides used in years past, ProcellaCOR should only be applied by certified professionals from lake and pond management companies in Florida.

If you believe invasive aquatic weeds have become a problem in your pond or lake, contact us here at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. for an evaluation of your situation. As one of the leading lake and pond management companies in Florida, we can assess the weeds in your pond or lake, offer suggestions for eradication, and offer a price quote for our services. If you want to schedule a consultation or have additional questions, call us at 941-479-7811.

If you hold the position of park manager or are involved in another job that may involve the maintenance of a pond or lake, it is important to take your responsibilities very seriously. While to most people it may look as if little to anything needs to be done to a pond or lake, the fact is the opposite is true. Since each body of water can present unique challenges, taking a proactive approach to lake and pond management can help you avoid many complex and potentially expensive problems. As to what exactly should be done, here are five things you should put at the top of your list for maintaining ponds and lakes.

Maintain Lake and Pond Structures
Whether it's grates, pipes, or other similar structures in and around your pond or lake, it is vital you keep these properly maintained at all times. To do so, you should make it a point to take regular walks around the perimeter of your pond or lake to inspect various structures. Should you discover any problems, it is best to consult with lake and pond management companies in Florida such as Crosscreek Environmental Inc. for a professional evaluation of the situation.

Evaluate and Introduce Vegetation
Since native flowering plants act as excellent buffers around your lake or pond, try to introduce as many of these as possible. However, you should also evaluate the area to see if your pond or lake is starting to be overrun by trees or invasive vegetation, since this can threaten your pond or lake's ecosystem.

Maintain Water Quality
To avoid the problem of algae blooms that could kill wildlife and even pets, test and maintain the water quality in your pond or lake. Should you notice issues with your water's color, smell, or clarity, have your water tested by professionals from lake and pond management companies to determine what steps need to be taken.

Use Modern Technology
By relying on lake and pond management professionals who are skilled in such high-tech areas as bathymetric mapping, you can often catch problems related to water quality, shoreline erosion, and other problems before they are allowed to take hold and lead to even bigger issues. Through the use of bathymetric mapping and mechanical hydro-raking, many major problems can be averted.

Call in the Experts
Finally, even though you try to know as much as you can about lake and pond management, don't be afraid to rely on professional assistance when a problem becomes too challenging to solve on your own. By calling on experts from lake and pond management companies in Florida, innovative solutions can often be found for even the most difficult of issues.

Should you believe the time has come for expert advice regarding your pond or lake, don't procrastinate and let an existing problem continue to get bigger. Instead, contact us here at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. for a consultation. To do so, give us a call today at 941-479-7811.