Services
Retention Pond Cleanup
Retention ponds are used to better the quality of stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, neighborhoods, and industrial sites and to reduce high runoff rates by providing temporary holding solutions during large storms. Also, the retention pond on property may provide other advantages such as passive recreation and open space opportunities. A functioning retention pond is a requirement for stormwater management.
You, as the owner, manager of a commercial site, or a member of an HOA (Homeowner Association), need to understand the importance of the pond facility and your obligation to assure its continued functionality.
Importance of rentention pond maintenance......
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Stormwater runoff is a significant source of water pollution in rural areas. Properly maintained ponds are very effective at removing certain pollutants and providing downstream runoff storage.
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Improperly maintained ponds increase the discharge of pollutantsm increase flooding risks and instability of downstream waterways, and lead to aesthetic and nuisance problems
Why some ponds don't succeed......
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Poor operation and maintenance, which leads to nasty odors, insects, algae blooms, and an ugly, unkempt eyesore.
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Poor vegetation maintenance as in mowing and weed control
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Blocked inlets resulting from trash and debris
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Failed side slopes
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Inadequate access for timely maintenance
Aquatic weed control is important due to the possibility of blocking channels that carry stormwater flow as well as controlling invasive plants not native the region. Weeds can be removed mechanically using a machine, chemically using various environment friendly herbicides, or manually by hand.
Aquatic Weed Control
Fountain and Aeration Installation
Aeration is a major factor to a balanced plan for pond maintenance. As a management tool for water quality, aeration can address a variety of issues such as algae, foul odors, fish kills and insect infestations, just to name a few. Oxygen is an important component for a healthy aquatic ecosystem and is required by beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in the water body. These beneficial bacteria are responsible for breaking down organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaf litter and animal waste that are being introduced into the pond or lake. These bacteria can metabolize excess nitrogen and phosphorus introduced by runoff from fertilization and organic decomposition. When excess nutrients are not effectively metabolized, algae blooms and aquatic weed infestations can result. These nuisance vegetation issues can clog irrigation systems and cover your pond with algae. When a pond or lake is adequately aerated the beneficial bacteria are more productive, which can reduce the nutrient load and breakdown the organic build up more efficiently. Aeration is also the solution to the foul odor some ponds can have as well as mosquito reduction.
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Floating fountain aerators offer the benefit of aeration as well as an aesthetic feature to the pond. They are generally localized and work well for shallower, symmetrically-shaped ponds. The various spray patterns available can also impacts the water body. The size of your pond and personal preference will help determine which pattern would be most suitable for your pond. If you have a pond that is located near the club house or course entrance, it could be further enhanced with lighting for a dramatic evening scene.
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Submersed aeration systems release oxygen directly into the water column at air stations placed on the bottom of the pond, and work best in moderate depths to deep ponds. Submersed aeration systems can supply aeration for any shape pond and work well in irregular shaped ponds such as kidney shaped or long narrow ponds where the spray pattern of a fountain could not reach and effectively aerate these areas.
Aquatic plants are beautiful additions to any pond or water garden. But do you know they are also efficient competitors against algae? Both desirable pond plants and algae have the same requirements to thrive in the pond environment. Large numbers of healthy plants can out-compete algae for such essential plant resources as light and nutrients to help keep algae under control. While all pond plants draw excess nutrients from pond water, submerged plants offer an additional benefit improving water quality and clarity by filtering excess nutrients and supplying vital oxygen to fish and beneficial aerobic bacteria. Submerged plants are known as oxygenators because of their efficient production of oxygen. The additional oxygen these plants produce through photosynthesis is essential during summer when dissolved oxygen content can be significantly low. Best of all, they are easy to grow and require very little attention.
Aquatic Plant Installation
Fish Stocking
Controlling aquatic vegetation with triploid grass carp is one of the options available to pond owners with aquatic plant problems. In many situations, the use of triploid grass carp is an economical, long lasting, and effective option. However, carp is not appropriate for every pond with abundant aquatic plants. Whether they should be stocked in a pond or not, depends on the goals for the pond, the plant species causing problems, and the probability of the carp escaping the pond.