Are you the owner of a property that includes a water feature? Whether at a resort, condo area, or golf club, a lake or pond is a picturesque addition. However, this is also an area that will require a fair bit of effort to keep in good shape. For this reason, it's a good idea to contact lake and pond management companies in Florida.

Why Does Your Lake or Pond Require Aeration?
There is a very good reason why aeration is required for your lake or pond. One of the biggest issues that you need to avoid is thermal stratification. This is a condition where the top, bottom, and middle layers of your water area fail to mix in the proper way. This could lead to serious issues, such as the death of all life in the water.

Aerating your lake or pond on a regular basis is the best way to prevent this type of dangerous stratification from taking place. It's also the best way to ensure that oxygen mixes all throughout your water in the proper proportion. This will keep plant and animal life healthy. It will also prevent the buildup of bacteria and algae.

Keeping your pond safely aerated protects the value of your property. The last thing people who visit this area want to see is a dead, stagnant body of water. It's even worse if the area is covered with a sickly green surface of algae. Aeration prevents these and other issues from coming to pass.

Aeration Prevents Harmful Algae Blooms
Yet another reason to keep your lake or pond aerated is to prevent runoff from storms from leaking into your pond. The best way to keep this from happening is to counteract the presence of fertilizer, insecticides, and other chemicals in your pond. Storm water can be filled with these potentially harmful materials.

Aerating your pond helps to reduce the damage that these chemical compounds can do. This is because keeping the oxygen flowing in your lake or pond also causes these chemicals to decay or disperse in a much quicker and more natural fashion. The sooner these harmful materials disperse, the less chance there is of a dangerous algae bloom.

Contact Crosscreek Environmental Inc. for More Info
​When it comes to maintaining your water feature, you deserve the aid and counsel of a true pro. Crosscreek Environmental Inc. is one of the foremost lake and pond management companies in Florida. We have the knowledge, qualifications, and skills to give you top level service for all of your lake and pond maintenance needs.

There is no time like the present to get started on ensuring the health and vitality of your lake or pond. Too much is at stake to let this area go to waste. This is one area you can't afford to cut corners in. Get in touch with us today to learn what one of the world's leading water feature experts can do on your behalf.

When you have a property with bodies of water present, there are some issues that you may encounter over time while maintaining the setting. It's important to know about soil stabilization, which can cause a shoreline to become displaced. If you're attempting to stabilize the soil, there are a few tactics that can be the most effective.

Use Native Plants

Using native plants to stabilize the soil can be extremely effective along the shoreline because of their large, deep roots. The plants can thrive in the soil when they're planted around ponds and lakes. The plants can also offer additional benefits by filtering pollutants and absorbing vitamins and nutrients that can prompt the growth of algae and sediment.

Using native plants compared to other species is necessary because they're more prone to thrive without needing as much maintenance each season. They're also effective in attracting different types of pollinators to create a more lush setting.

Perform Erosion Control

If you're considering erosion control, you can install erosion control blankets by digging a small trench at the top of the slop. The main goal is to ensure the water flows over the top of the blankets. Dig a trench on the slope and line it. Fold the edge and secure it underneath the material.

You can also rely on fiber rolls or coil logs for erosion control and to stabilize the soil. The logs reduce the speed of water runoff to ensure the all sediment in the water is able to settle out. When selecting the right fiber roll to use, you can choose between wattle, rice wattle, and coconut fiber.

Install a Retaining Wall

One of the best tactics to soil stabilization is installing a retaining wall if it has the right design and placement. If you plan to build a wall, increase the height of it and back them to reduce storage.

You can also have proper soil stabilization with the use of cement, lime, chemical stabilization, and grouting. The different types of grouting include chemical grouting, polymer grouting, and bituminous grouting.

Chemical Stabilization

It's also possible to stabilize the soil with chemicals with calcium chloride as the vapor pressure is lowered to increase surface tension. This reduces the amount of moisture that evaporates. In some cases, the calcium chloride needs to be frequently applied to maintain the stability of the soil long-term.

Electrical Stabilization

Electrical stabilization is another option that isn't as common and is used in clay-like soils. This process involves putting metal electrodes into the earth before a current runs through while water is drawn to the electricity. The soil starts to become more compacted to ensure it's more stable and sturdy.

Understanding the different methods of stabilizing soil can allow you to learn ways to improve the soil properties with different techniques and materials that are available. You can discover which tactic is the best option for your property and budget to improve the quality of the setting.

While lakes of all sizes can experience a multitude of problems, erosion is often one of the most common and most serious. Even on the calmest of days when water is gently hitting against the shore, erosion is taking place. As erosion continues, the result is a wearing down of the underlying soil, ultimately resulting in the displacement of soil. In some instances, entire banks of soil can slide into the water, which will then present a whole new set of challenges. As to the specific causes of erosion in lakes, here is the truth about what is behind this problem.

Climate Change
As many areas in Florida have started to experience stronger storms that occur more frequently than in years past, experts believe climate change is one of the leading causes of lake erosion. When these storms occur, they disrupt the natural distribution of sediment in lakes, which can result in increased erosion that often requires professional intervention from erosion control companies in Florida such as Crosscreek Environmental Inc. and its team of experts.

Human Activity
From construction and logging activities to simpler tasks such as gardening, human activity is often a leading cause of erosion in lakes across Florida. Since all of these activities disturb topsoil, human-caused erosion can lead to excessive stormwater runoff. In addition, clear-cutting of natural vegetation destroys wildlife habitats, which in turn eliminates the protection given to shorelines by the root structures of plants and shrubs.

Vegetation and Tree Loss
When vegetation and tree loss occur, lake erosion on a much bigger scale is almost a certainty. Along with the root system that binds the soil together, plant cover will also act as a canopy that protects soil from the impact of rain. As a result, water will be absorbed into the soil much more gradually, lessening the chances of erosion. Should you be facing an erosion problem that is caused primarily by tree or vegetation loss, innovative solutions can be found by speaking to erosion control companies in Florida such as Crosscreek Environmental Inc. and its team of experienced lake management professionals.

Land Topography
If you have a lake that is located in an area where the surrounding land is especially steep, this can also play an impactful role in lake erosion. Generally, as the slope length near a lake increases, this results in a greater accumulation of runoff water and subsequently increased erosion.

Tectonic Activity
Though this usually occurs over long periods of time, tectonic activity is also a cause of lake erosion. Since uplifts of the soil can essentially mold the shape of the surrounding landscape, it can be a contributing factor to lake erosion.


If you are experiencing lake erosion, don't assume it is a problem that will clear up on its own. In fact, it will likely only get worse over time. To take charge of the situation and ensure state-of-the-art solutions are implemented, contact Crosscreek Environmental Inc. for an evaluation and price quote. To do so, call 941-479-7811.

While wetlands were once unusable areas of swampland, the thinking concerning them has changed in recent years. Nowadays, wetlands are referred to as "kidneys of the landscape" due to their ability to assist with stormwater purification, erosion control, and sediment filtration. However, to be at their best, wetlands need various types of aquatic plants to help control erosion. If you are wondering which types of aquatic plants are best at helping to control erosion problems in Florida wetlands, the experts here at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. have four plants they highly recommend.

Native Submersed Plants

While many types of submersed plants grow in Florida, many are native to Florida. These include coontail, tape grass, and sago pondweed. Along with providing numerous habitats for fish and wildlife, these plants also are well-known for helping to stabilize sediments and shorelines. Should you want any of these plants for wetlands on your property, visit an aquatic plant nursery in Florida. To get additional information as to which of these plants could work best for you, look to lake and pond management companies in Florida such as Crosscreek Environmental Inc. that have experience in such matters.

Native Emersed Plants

Growing in submersed soil near the edge of water bodies, native emersed plants such as cattails, duck potato, and lemon bacopa all work very well to protect against erosion. Since they can also grow very well in areas where low water levels exist and sediment is exposed, they can protect against erosion while also giving habitat to wildlife and food to waterfowl.

Free-Floating and Floating-Leaved Plants

While these plants are not directly attached to the sediment around the shoreline of wetlands, they are still effective at controlling erosion. In fact, free-floating and floating-leaved plants are especially good at building up sediment around a shoreline, which results in making the body of water more shallow. As for which types may work best for you, visit an aquatic plant nursery in Florida and learn more about such plants as water lily, American lotus, and giant duckweed.

Sedges, Grasses, and Rushes

Though all of the plants in this category look as if they are growing directly out of the water itself, that is not the case. Actually, some are totally submerged, while others are rooted in the sediment around the shoreline. Very good at trapping soil, water, and a multitude of nutrients, these plants are widely considered to be some of the best by lake and pond management companies in Florida at helping to control wetlands erosion. As for specific plants to try, we recommend giant foxtail, soft rush, and Egyptian paspalidium.

Rather than look at wetlands and think there is nothing you can do to control erosion, get expert advice from Crosscreek Environmental Inc. as to which plants may be the best choices. Whether you select water lilies, duck potato, coontail, or many others, you'll be taking the first step to control wetlands erosion. If you need expert guidance on this matter, contact Crosscreek Environmental Inc. at 941-479-7811.

When you have a pond on your property, the feature can contribute to the beautiful scenery and allow you to enjoy having a view of the water. Although ponds are attractive features, they require a lot of management and can serve several purposes. If you want to improve the quality of your pond, there are a few reasons why you should be stocking it with fish.

Recreational Use

One of the main reasons many people add fish to their pond is to enjoy their fishing hobby in their own backyard. It can be fun to get the chance to catch something year-round while spending time outdoors. It also makes for a great way of improving your skill level and spending time with your family members and friends. Some people prefer to stock their pond with fish because it can allow you to harvest better fish. You'll have the chance to walk into the backyard and catch something delicious to eat for dinner without getting a fishing license or having to travel too far.

Keep the Water Environmentally Balanced

Fish stocking with different types of species can allow the water in your pond to remain environmentally balanced throughout the year. Research the different types of fish that are native in the local area to ensure you can reap more benefits. Lake management companies in Florida can provide you with information on the best types of fish to consider.

Improve Fishing Populations

Fish stocking is an effective way to maintain or enhance different populations. They can also be used to consume overabundant forage fish in the pond. Some of the most common types of fish to add to ponds include bluegill, catfish, tilapia, largemouth bass, and triploid carp. Rainbow trout are also a popular option in places like Utah because they're adaptable. The method can even reduce the risk of certain types of species from collapsing in some locations, especially if you tend to fish a lot in the pond.

Control the Growth of Weeds

With fish in your pond, it can allow your weeds to serve as food for proper pond management that can save you time. When combined with herbicide application, you can eliminate harmful weeds that can affect the natural landscape over time. Stocking fish at a smaller size can be more cost-effective and allow you to get more use out of them when maintaining the pond.

Reduce Insect Larvae

Fish are known as predators of mosquito larvae, which can keep pests away during the warmer months of the year. They work well for regulating the insects to ensure you can spend more time outdoors without worrying about getting bit by pests on the property.

​
Learning the benefits of stocking your pond with fish can allow you to find a natural way of improving the quality of the water. It can also offer convenience by allowing you to maintain the pond without as much work or energy required each season.

A littoral shelf is a shallow extension, literally shelf-like in shape, that can be found in a body of water such as a lake or pond. This shelf will normally be specially adorned with vegetation of the aquatic variety. This area is usually formed near a structure that handles outflow for the lake or pond that it is located in.

The main purpose of such a shelf will be to filter the nutrients and minerals in the water that could lead to the growth of harmful bacterial and algae blooms. This matter will be filtered out of the pond through a specially built outflow contrivance. As a result of this structure, you save yourself a great deal of time, energy, and money.


Why is Littoral Shelf Planting Essential?

There are a number of very important reasons why the lake or pond on your property will require this special shelf. Littoral shelf planting is one of the actions that you need to take in order to prevent erosion of the shoreline around your water. This prevents the water in your lake or pond coming up to overflow its surrounding banks.

Any reputable and professional lake management company in Florida that you may deal with will also recommend this step for a variety of other reasons. A littoral shelf will help to keep the overflow from storm water running headlong into your water feature. This will prevent the spread of fertilizer that will lead to algae blooms.

Planting a littoral shelf will also help increase the attractiveness and desirability of your water feature. Once in place, the shelf will attract and help to sustain local wildlife, thus ensuring that the area remains healthy and vital.

A littoral shelf will also do wonders for the basic water quality of your lake or pond. This will ensure that the area contributes to the resale value of your property.


Contact Crosscreek Environmental for More Info

Crosscreek Environmental is the foremost lake management company in Florida. Our goal is to provide land and resort owners with state of the art pond and lake care. Whether you require expert algae bloom prevention, littoral shelf planting, or any other form of maintenance, we are here to be of service to you.

We have the knowledge, skills, qualifications, and experience to handle any issue that may arise at your lake or pond. We offer top notch services at a price that won't put a dent in your operating budget. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we can do on your behalf.

Any time you have a lot of land and live on a large property, you'll need to maintain the setting to ensure it continues to look beautiful each season. Vegetation control is essential for maintaining a lush setting where different species of plants can thrive and to reduce the risk of accidents. If you want to learn more about controlling the vegetation and the benefits it offers, there are a few important facts to understand.

Promotes Safety

Controlling the vegetation not only improves the quality of the landscape but promotes safety for residents or pets who spend time outside. Unwanted vegetation can cover up holes or hazards that are not visible, which can lead to accidents. If weeds or plants become too large, they can even block signs that prevent drivers from remaining safe on the road.

They can even create a place where snakes can hide, which can put other animals at risk while exploring the yard. You may also trip over tree roots if the grass has become too high.

Trimming the trees will also reduce the risk of accidents that can occur due to branches that can break during heavy winds or storms. It can also prevent the branches from damaging nearby powerlines, which can lead to outages. Trimming the trees can also prevent decay from occurring to ensure the trees thrive and look beautiful.

Improves the Appearance of the Property

Vegetation control is also necessary to improve the aesthetics of the property. When weeds, plants, and trees become overgrown, they can create a messy setting that looks neglected. This can actually affect the value of the property and cause it to become an eyesore in the neighborhood.

Overgrown vegetation can also hide specific features or decorative accents that are present in the yard, whether you have a statues or fountains present.

Minimizes Weed Growth

Weeds can threaten any outdoor setting and prevent healthy plants from thriving. Weeds are known as competing vegetation and can take all the resources other plants need to survive, which includes water, nutrients, and sunlight.

Types of Vegetation Control

There are many different types available to ensure you can select a method that is most convenient and effective for your type of property. Mowing and trimming the lawn, trees, and plants every one to two weeks is the most popular option that doesn't require relying on chemicals. This can be a safer method for those with children or pets on the property.

Chemical control is another option that is known to be effective and easy to perform. There are a variety of products available on the market, depending on the types of plants and vegetation you have present in the yard.

Knowing how to control your vegetation and the benefits proper control offers can allow you to improve the care you provide to your yard. It will also increase the quality of your property to ensure you have a more functional and beautiful setting.

Do you know how to reduce nutrient loading in your lake? This is an issue that you should be concerned about for a number of reasons. Too much plant nutrient leaking into your lake or pond could cause a massive algae bloom. This is a blight that could threaten the viability of your water feature.

You should be aware that there are some handy measures that you can adopt in order to keep your lake maintenance program up to speed. These come highly recommended by industry experts as well as lake and pond owners. Here are some of the best things that you can do in order to minimize this very serious possibility.


Don't Use a Lawn Fertilizer That Contains Phosphorus
You can get your program of basic lake maintenance off to a great start by following a few simple rules of thumb. One of them will be to ban the use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus. This is a harmful compound that can contribute directly to the growth of algae and bacteria in your lake. Ceasing to use it is highly recommended.

Another crucial thing you can do is to avoid over-fertilizing grassy areas near the shoreline of your lake or pond. It's a good idea to find out just how much fertilizer the area really needs. Once you have this figure compiled, your best bet will to be stay well within its confines. Overdoing it will only lead to future problems.


Make Sure to Rake the Debris Away
Don't let debris pile up around the surface of your lake or pond. This may include dead leaves, tree branches, excess mulch or fertilizer, lawn remains, and animal waste. Make sure to rake all of this excess material away so that it does not drift into your lake. This way, it won't contribute to the overfeeding of algae.

You also want to keep debris of all kinds from clogging up your storm water drain pipes. A backup in these pipes could lead to all kinds of unpleasant developments. Keeping your drain pipes free of excess debris is the best way to let them continue to function in a healthy and normal manner.


Be Sure to Only Use Biodegradable Cleaners
When it comes to learning how to reduce nutrient loading in your lake, it helps to do a bit of research. For example, it's a good idea to find out what exactly is in the various detergents and cleaning agents you are currently making use of. You want to make sure that you are using only industry certified biodegradable formulas.

Do you regularly pressure wash your house? If your home happens to be located near a lake or pond, much of the detergent you use is running off into the water. Using a biodegradable formula will ensure that it breaks down quickly into its various components. This will keep it from becoming a feeding agent for algae or bacteria.


Don't Leave Pet Waste Lying Around
Pet waste contains all kinds of nutrients that algae find irresistible. If you take your dog for a regular walk around your local pond or lake, always make sure to carry a poop scooper with you.

The last thing you want to do is contribute to harmful algae blooms in your lake or pond. Scooping up pet waste and disposing of it in a safe manner is one of the very best lake maintenance tips that you can learn to follow.


Contact Crosscreek Environmental for More Info
When it comes to learning how to reduce nutrient loading in your lake, it pays to call on an expert. Crosscreek Environmental has long been one of the best known and most highly regarded lake management companies. We have all of the knowledge, skills, qualifications, and experience that are required to bring your pond back to life.

If you are serious about keeping your lake or pond in the best possible shape, you need to take action. The time to get in touch with one of the nation's leading lake management companies is now. Contact Crosscreek Environmental today to learn more about what we can do to help you.

If you have a lake or pond, you no doubt also have many types of aquatic weeds and algae that call your body of water their home. But as you know, it's important to do everything you can in regards to aquatic weed control. While many types of herbicides are used in this process, the one used most commonly is glyphosate. The most widely-used herbicide in history, it has been used for years around the world to help control weeds in not only aquatic settings, but also on golf courses, agricultural settings, and other similar environments. However, as questions have arisen over the years about the safety of glyphosate, much disinformation has circulated and made it tougher for people to figure out is glyphosate safe for use on their lake or pond. If you are also struggling with this question, we here at Crosscreek Environmental have some facts you're sure to find very enlightening.

A Possible Carcinogen?

As for what started the controversy surrounding glyphosate and its use regarding lake maintenance, you can look to studies examined by the World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2015, both organizations classified glyphosate as a possible carcinogen, prompting many people to stop using it in various environments. However, additional reviews of the studies in question found various problems in how data was gathered and interpreted. As a result, the U.S. EPA in 2017 determined glyphosate was not considered to be a carcinogen to humans, and that when the herbicide was used correctly it posed no other significant risks to humans. As more and more regulatory agencies around the world have reviewed the new findings, they too have agreed glyphosate is not a threat to humans.

Is Glyphosate a Frog Killer?

While we are sure you're glad to know glyphosate poses no threat to humans, those of us here at Crosscreek Environmental also know you're wondering is glyphosate safe for the wildlife and other organisms that live in and around your lake. As with most lake management companies, this question was asked by many of us here at Crosscreek Environmental. Fortunately, there is no clear evidence suggesting glyphosate is harmful to frogs or any other animals or organisms when properly used in aquatic environments. While there has been one study used by some opposition groups claiming otherwise, the study in question focused on glyphosate that was not properly formulated for use in an aquatic setting. To put your mind at ease, you can trust that when our licensed and certified technicians apply glyphosate for aquatic weed control, it is done using only specially-formulated mixes that are known to be safe and effective.

Using Glyphosate for Lake Maintenance

When you discuss your concerns about the use of glyphosate for lake maintenance with trusted lake management companies such as Crosscreek Environmental, we will always be glad to answer any questions you may have. In any situation where aquatic weed control is a top priority, the focus is often on using a combination of chemical algaecides, aquatic herbicides, and other techniques we have at our disposal. Should your pond or lake already be dealing with an overgrowth of shoreline vegetation or aquatic weeds, using algaecides and herbicides such as glyphosate can be effective methods at curtailing the problem and then allowing you to consult with experts here at Crosscreek Environmental on how to move forward. In doing so, you can rely on the expertise of knowledgeable lake and pond management professionals who have dealt with situations such as yours many times over the years.

Annual Management Plan

Now that your main question of is glyphosate safe has been answered in the affirmative, you should turn your attention to working with us here at Crosscreek Environmental on an annual management plan for your pond or lake. By doing so, you can consult with our experts on the problems you are experiencing most often and learn the various options you would have to get things under control. If you're ready to get your pond or lake in excellent condition and make sure it stays that way, schedule a consultation with us here at Crosscreek Environmental by visiting crosscreekenvironmental.com or calling us today at 941-479-7811.

Are you concerned about protecting your shoreline in the event of a major storm? Many so-called wetland management experts may try to sell you on building a wall. But a slew of recent studies, based on actual events, have given the lie to this idea. In the long run, wetland restoration is a far superior idea.

Instead of Building Walls, it's Time to Restore Wetlands

One of the best arguments against wall building came into being in August 2011. This was the time Hurricane Irene touched down in North Carolina. The storm itself dumped bucket loads of rain on to the Outer Banks. But this was far from the worst damage that the storm brought in its wake.

Irene's fury resulted in surging waves three meters high. These waves cracked through the storm walls that were supposed to protect the mainland. In the process, a number of nearby roads, 1,100 homes, and plenty of other landmarks were wiped off the map. The wall that had been built to protect the coast turned out to be less than useless.

Wetland Management is the Key to Safe Shorelines

A number of scientists researching the results of the storm came upon a very interesting conclusion. In the end, it turns out that shore walls are simply not a viable long term solution to prevent damage from major hurricanes and floods. But they did manage to discover a solution that is may be far more workable in the long term.

Shoreline walls are, on average, about six and a half feet tall. Made of supposedly long lasting concrete, they form the standard line of defense against seaborne storms and other disasters. However, breaches in the bulwarks has been a common finding in many of these walls after a major storm has touched down.

But, after Irene, it was discovered that the shorelines of the marsh areas were intact. In fact, it was ascertained that these marsh areas, extending from 30 to 130 feet back from the shore, had lost none of their sediment or elevation.

It is true that the fallout from Irene did result in a loss of vegetation density of nearly a third. However, within a year, this density was restored and, in some places, healthier and lusher than ever before.

If You Want to Protect Your Shoreline, Restore Your Wetlands

The aftermath of the Irene incident serves to confirm what experts have been saying all along. Walls are not the key to protecting coastal shorelines or their neighboring inland areas. If you want to keep your community safe, your best bet will be to begin practicing the proper amount of wetland management techniques.

These are techniques that could potentially save an area from having to experience the worst that a huge hurricane or flooding incident can bring. They are the best way to ensure a lush and healthy shoreline both before and after such an event.

The Time to Restore Your Wetland Shore is Now

If you are serious about getting state of the art wetland management services, the time to do so is now. You don't want to wait until the next major storm. By this time, it may be too late to do anything to stave off a major scale disaster. The time to get ready to meet the challenge of a hurricane or flood is now.

You can start by giving Crosscreek Environmental a call. You can reach us via phone at 941-479-7811. You can also email us at admin@crosscreekenv.com. If you have any questions about pricing for our services, you can direct them to our special Pricing Request Form.