Chemical Control
When a pond/lake becomes overgrown with weeds and algae, it detracts from the beauty of the surrounding properties. In many cases, property owners opt to control the problem by using chemicals specifically registered for use in ponds and lakes. A chemical management program provides you with a pristine-looking aquatic environment. The program consists of regular inspections and treatments by trained, licensed, and insured applicators. These applications, in association with close monitoring, ensure an attractive, trouble-free pond throughout the spring, summer, and autumn months.
Chemical/Biological Control
Some pond owners would like a clean pond, but would also like to limit the amount of chemicals used. An early season “spot-treatment,” along with a proper stocking of white amur, is often the answer. Spot treatments can be applied in early spring when plant growth is first observed to greatly reduce the amount of nuisance vegetation. As the growing season continues, the water warms up and increases the metabolism of the white amur. With an increased appetite, the white amur are then able to continue algae and weed maintenance.
Mechanical/Biological Control
Another method of lake management is the combination of mechanical (aeration system) and biological (white amur) control strategies. By destratifying the pond in the warmer months with a diffused aeration system, you introduce much needed oxygen to the bottom. This oxygen accelerates the decomposition of organic sediment. Products formed from this breakdown encourage the growth of planktonic algae. These beneficial algaes are the base of the food chain and are excellent oxygen producers. This higher oxygen content will deter the growth of most weeds and nuisance algae. Growing in the surface waters, planktonic algae creates a greenish tint, which prevents light penetration to the bottom by absorption and reflection. The most efficient way to destratify a pond is to use a diffused aeration system. A shore-based compressor pumps air through sunken air lines. At the end of the air line, an array of silica diffuser stones break the air into thousands of tiny bubbles. The upwelling action of the bubbles moves up to 8000 gallons of water per minute per horsepower. The upwelling boil and radiating ripples increase the oxygen content of the entire pond. The small wavelets help to deter growth by defracting incoming sunlight. In addition to aeration, a proper stocking of white amur ensure that most owners can have a clean pond and maintain a natural setting.
Mechanical/Chemical Control
Many people choose the long term benefits of an aeration system along with the pristine conditions provided by chemical treatments. The mixing capability of the aeration system allows the same amount of vegetation control with far fewer chemicals. Each of the strategies mentioned above can be designed to fit your individual ponds needs. Please call the hatchery to arrange an on-site consultation with one of our biologists to discuss methods of increasing the health and overall appearance of your pond.
Bacteria Program for Nutrient Reduction
This nutrient reduction program utilizes 16 gram-negative, naturally occurring bacterial strains that are DNA tested to confirm both their quality and strain. These bacteria amplify pre-existing bacteria populations already in your pond enabling them to further reduce pond sediment. By reducing pond sediment, you are digesting leaf litter, dead algae cells, grass clippings and dead aquatic plant matter. Furthermore, by reducing the organic pond sediment, you are also reducing the cyanobacteria within the pond and replacing it with beneficial bacteria. This makes the use of the bacteria augmentation program very beneficial for people with surface "scum" issues resulting from nutrient input from lawn runoff. These bacteria have very short reproduction times and have little mortality when reproducing.
Our programs include twice-monthly applications of these bacterial compounds. However, for lake owners wishing to do their own lake management, more frequent applications may be necessary during periods of drought, heavy rainfall, fertilizer run-off and excessive heat. Lastly, it is highly recommended that these bacteria be utilized in ponds that contain diffused aeration or surface aerators.
Canada Goose Control
Over the past several years, there has been an increase in the number of Canada geese, especially geese that are overwintering in the Midwest due to mild winters. With the geese staying in areas all year long and with many of these geese utilizing lakes situated on golf courses, in residential communities, around businesses and parks, there has come about a need to combat the problems that geese present. Some of these problems are geese defecating on sidewalks, driveways and around lake areas; an increase in the number of human/goose conflicts during the spring nesting period and an increase in geese "begging'' for food in areas where people routinely feed them.
Jones Fish Hatchery now offers Canada goose control, which includes the twice-monthly application of a naturally occurring compound that is sprayed onto the lawn surrounding the lake. After eating the treated turf grass, the Canada goose experiences a harmless but effective stomach reaction. Since the treated turf grass absorbs ultra-violet light, the geese are able to see the treated area and they then associate the treated turf grass with their discomfort. Consequently, the geese will no longer feed in this area and eventually relocate elsewhere. For complete lake management, incorporating Canada goose control into your management strategy along with algae and weed control utilizing chemical, biological, organic or mechanical means will ensure a clean and pristine lake setting.
Each of the strategies mentioned above can be designed to fit your individual ponds needs. Please call the hatchery to arrange and on-site consultation with on of our biologists to discuss methods of increasing the health and improving the overall appearance of your pond.