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Pond Restoration
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The Problem
Development within watersheds has increased greatly in recent years and many ponds have been subjected to an ever-increasing load of nutrients and sediments, resulting in decreased pond water quality. Increased nutrient loadings are most commonly due to excessive use of fertilizers, malfunctioning septic systems, poor aeration system and improper waste disposal within the watershed. As development continues to increase, the amount of total hard–surfaced area also increases and the volume and velocity of the water moving through the watershed into surface waters is increased. This run-off erodes soils and transports organic materials and nutrients from surface soils. Inorganic materials, in the form of sand, silt, and clay are also transported to receiving waters, resulting in decreased pond water quality.
Controlling Input
In an ideal world, applying effective pond aeration system within the watershed to control the quality and limit the quantity of run-off should be the best solution. However, even in the best situation, watershed controls are not 100% effective. These pond aeration systems can reduce nutrient loadings but they are only as effective as the enforcement effort behind their implementation. The elevated nutrient loadings that find their way into streams, lakes and ponds cause: algae blooms, proliferation of rooted aquatic plants, low dissolved oxygen levels, increased water temperature, odors, increased bacteria levels, and stunted fish populations or fish kills. Many studies have shown that some watershed management systems and pond aerators only reduce pollutants in ponds by about 5 – 35 percent. This usually is not enough to make a noticeable difference in aquatic pond weeds and pond algae growth, does little or nothing to improve fish health, nothing to reduce mucky lake bottoms or reduce disease bacteria or odors.
Natural Cleansing Capacity
Healthy ponds have a natural capacity to cleanse themselves. Each pond is an individual ecosystem with a food chain of organisms that assimilate the incoming nutrients. The food chain moves nutrients up from the simplest single-celled bacteria, to people catching fish. This natural system works very well without any pond aeration system to improve pond water quality, keeping the ecosystem in balance until excessive nutrient inflow overwhelms the ability of the ecosystem to assimilate the nutrients. Once this occurs, the excessive nutrient levels adversely affect the aesthetic qualities of the pond by stimulating the growth of nuisance algae and plant life. Pond algae (algae blooms) can quickly turn a pond “pea soup” green or cause the formation of “smelly” floating algae mats. Pond weeds can interfere with swimming, boating and fishing.
Water Treatment Chemicals
Traditionally, aquatic pond weeds or pond algae problems have been addressed by using water treatment chemicals in place of pond aeration systems. Chemicals are applied at the water surface or directly to floating mats. The chemicals kill the weeds and algae and the dying vegetation sinks to the bottom of the water-body where it rots. As the vegetation rots, the plant nutrients in it that have been absorbed from the water are released back to the water column and become nutrients for the next weed growth or algae bloom. But something far worse occurs; as the vegetation decays, it uses up the oxygen at the bottom. Many studies have shown that an average of about three times as much nutrients are released from bottom sediment of ponds without oxygen, than what typically comes in from the watershed each year. The next weed or algal growth will occur when conditions of light and temperature are favorable, and the concentration of the water treatment chemical in the water column is reduced below toxic levels. The effectiveness of the water treatment chemical is quickly reduced as it settles to the bottom and is diluted by pond inflow and mixing with waters from untreated portions of the pond. The dead mass of vegetation accumulates on the bottom of the pond adding to the mass of organic sediments already there. Herbicides and algaecides do more harm to water quality than they do good. They sometimes cause fish kills and add toxic substances to the water and sediments. So it is highly recommended to use the latest pond aerators and proper pond aeration systems for maintaining water quality.
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Edina before.
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Edina after.
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The Beginning of the Problem
If there is oxygen present, the accumulated organic sediments begin to decompose aerobically. This organic material serves as food for bacteria and organisms that live in the substrate (bacteria, insect larvae, worms, etc.). These organisms require and consume dissolved oxygen as they digest the organic sediments. As sediments and biological activity increase, dissolved oxygen levels are depleted and become limiting. Low or no dissolved oxygen conditions can occur quickly, eliminating aerobic organisms and slowing the breakdown of the organic sediments. Then the growth of anaerobic bacteria, the bacteria that thrives in an environment of low or no dissolved oxygen, increases. Anaerobic digestion of the organic sediments begins, releasing toxic gases into the water that kill beneficial aerobic bacteria and insects.
The Real Problem
Anaerobic digestion of pond sediments is a much slower process than with aerobic digestion. Where aerobic digestion can result in the control or reduction of organic sediment levels, anaerobic digestion almost always allows organic sediments levels to increase. During anaerobic digestion, bacterial enzymes and lack of oxygen make the nutrients in the bottom sediments soluble. Then the nutrients return to the water column and are available to support new weed and algae growth. Anaerobic conditions at the pond bottom have a damaging effect on the food chain that supports fish populations as well as reducing or eliminating fish habitat, ultimately resulting in a reduction of the fish quality, size and quantity.
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Treating the Symptoms
Chemical treatment for algae control and aquatic plants can be a valuable tool in the aesthetic management of a pond, but it does not eliminate the condition that causes the problem. Water treatment chemicals cannot be applied to prevent an algae bloom. Pond aeration is the best and most effective system for naturally maintaining the quality of the water. They can only be applied to eliminate the bloom. The bloom captures dissolved nutrients from the water column and creates algae. The chemical treatment kills the pond algae, and the dead and dying organisms settle to the bottom where they decompose releasing soluble nutrients back to the water column. Once the biomass is formed, nutrients are effectively locked into the pond’s ecosystem to be recycled forever. Some chemical treatments, copper in particular, can accumulate in pond sediments when used year after year. Accumulated copper can reach levels that are toxic to aquatic organisms or result in the growth of algae that is resistant to the effects of copper. Herbicides for aquatic weed control create similar problems.
Pond Restoration – Dealing with the Problem
To restore a pond to a healthy condition, we must restore the natural processes that allow a pond to assimilate the nutrient load that it receives. Ideally, nutrient inputs should be reduced or eliminated wherever possible. Understanding our limited ability to accomplish this task, we must then supplement and support natural assimilation of the nutrient load as it exists.
The Natural Process
The natural assimilation of nutrients in the pond ecosystem begins to breakdown when these natural processes are limited or eliminated by low oxygen levels. Aerobic organisms are much more efficient at digesting organic material than anaerobic organisms. Aerobic organisms feed on organic material contained in the sediments and assimilate these nutrients into increased body mass and reproduction. Aerobically assimilated nutrients become part of the food chain, rather than being recycled within the water column, as they are when anaerobic conditions exist. By maintaining aerobic conditions at the bottom of a pond, fish, the top consumer will also improve in quantity and quality. Maintaining the aerobic environment will also reduce or prevent the accumulation of organic sediments. Aerobic conditions at the pond bottom benefit all aspects of the aquatic environment.
Pond Aeration – The Solution
Pond aeration is the process of adding Oxygen to improve water quality which is needed by fish, aquatic animals as well as aerobic bacteria to decompose organic matter. Pond aeration increases the process of oxidizing or eliminating pollution. Pond aeration system works by using special equipment called aerators. CLEAN-FLO uses Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation aeration process.
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Pond Aeration – CLEAN-FLO History
CLEAN-FLO pond aerator systems improve the pond and lake water quality for drinking, swimming, fishing and boating. Having more than 30 years of experience in pond aeration and lake aeration management, CLEAN-FLO believes in a customer-focused approach.
Pond Aeration – The CLEAN-FLO Approach
The CLEAN-FLO Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation System restores and maintains
aerobic conditions in ponds. The Pond Aeration method of CLEAN-FLO employs natural non-turbulent inversion to aerate the pond from bottom to top. Our pond aerators improve water quality in your ponds and lakes by allowing natural processes to naturally occur within a pond using oxygen (air) and natural bacterial and enzyme products.
CLEAN-FLO – A Pond Specific System
Each CLEAN-FLO pond aeration system is engineered specifically for the pond in which it is to be installed. The design process begins with an assessment of water quality data and existing conditions. Watershed characteristics, and physical dimensions and depths are also evaluated. A system is then designed to address the specific conditions that exist in the pond. Our pond aerators also improve water quality in your ponds and lakes. CLEAN-FLO pond aerators specialize in water pollution control and iron and manganese remediation. In water reservoirs we neutralize the ammonia and blue green algae to give safe and natural drinking water.
Because CLEAN-FLO delivers a commitment of quality & innovation, please feel free to contact us. Unlike others, our approach to pond aeration management is “solving the problem rather than treating the symptoms”. Let us solve your problem naturally.
Other aeration systems by CLEAN-FLO
Restoration of Lakes
Restoration of Reservoirs
Restoration of Rivers
Restoration for Aquaculture
Restoration of Wastewater Ponds
For more information about pond treatment click here.
Improve lake fishing and improve water chemistry using natural lake processes. When is the best time to start?
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