Pond & Lake Management Manual
Pond & Lake Water Quality Management
The best way to find a solution to your water quality problems is to obtain a better understanding of the components that impact the delicate balance of a pond’s ecosystem. From a lake manager’s perspective the most significant factors are: light and temperature, nutrients, and oxygen.
Light & TemperatureSunlight is of major significance to lake dynamics as it’s the primary source of energy. Most of the energy that controls the metabolism of a lake comes directly from the solar energy utilized in photosynthesis. Shallow bodies of water less than 9ft or 3m in depth more commonly experience problems such as bottom-rooted weeds or benthic algae and need additional consideration when determining the correct water management solution.As water temperature increases, the water’s capacity to hold oxygen decreases. Water at 52º Fahrenheit (11º Celsius) can hold over 40% more oxygen than water at 80º Fahrenheit (27º Celsius.)NutrientsThe second essential factor is the impact of nutrients on the aquatic ecosystem. There is a direct correlation in the level of available nutrients and the populations of algae and aquatic weeds. Phosphorus has been identified as the single greatest contributor to aquatic plant growth; one gram of phosphorous will produce one hundred grams of algal biomass.The three most common sources of nutrient introduction are: bottom silt and dead vegetation in the lake, runoff water from surrounding turf areas, and the sources of incoming water.OxygenThe third essential factor is the role oxygen plays. Oxygen is important to all forms of life in the lake, and supports the food chain including the natural decomposition process. A lake is supplied with oxygen from several sources but primarily through photosynthesis, wave and wind action.Immediate reactions to oxygen depletion would be fish kills or odors. Long term issues include nutrient build up, sludge accumulation, and a chemical imbalance in the lake. Oxygen depletion or stress situations occur for different reasons.
In Conclusion
Balance is critical to the aquatic ecosystem, without it your pond or lake will suffer. There are many steps that can prevent an imbalance from occurring, and knowing the causes will assist in determining the best solution for your application. Some methods include proper pond construction, chemical applications, and the addition of oxygen through aeration systems and devices.
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