As these plants die either through herbicide applications or season-ending die-off, they drop to the bottom of the lake where they decay and add to the organic sediment or muck layer on the bottom. Muck accumulates year after year, increasing available nutrients, reducing the depth of water which increases sunlight penetration, and the cycle continues until the lake favors plant life more than aquatic life.

Also in warmer climates, Naegleria fowleri (also known as the “brain-eating amoeba”) can be found. In contrast with most pathogenic bacteria, Naegleria fowleri is not adversely affected by the presence of oxygen. This organism thrives on the nutrients in the organic sediment. The level of phosphorus and nitrogen in organic sediment is typically about a thousand times the level found in the water column. When stirred, Naegleria fowleri can invade through the nose and attack the human nervous system and brain, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

The keystones of our lake restoration solution are our inversion systems which produce laminar non-turbulent flow in the water and increase oxygen levels throughout the entire water column. Numerous studies have shown that high stable oxygen levels reduce nutrients and minerals in the water column and can keep phosphorus locked into the organic sediments. Here is a simple comparison of a eutrophic lake to a lake with our inversion lake restoration system operating in it.

Our inversion systems are designed using variously sized compressors (based on the application and size – see Custom Design and Build), along with self-sinking airline and micro-porous ceramic diffusers that supply a steady stream of microbubbles from the bottom to the surface of the water. This non-turbulent flow is capable of moving and circulating large quantities of water and quickly oxygenates a lake.

Increasing oxygen throughout the water column allows us to start a sequence of events that provide aquatic weed control, improve water quality, reduce organic muck, nutrients, odor, harmful gases, coliform bacteria, nuisance algae growth and at the same time improve the fish growth and health. Natural aerobic bacteria and micro-organisms begin to consume the organic muck and nutrients, aquatic insects feed on the bacteria and increase the natural food source for fish, and water quality improvements provide safer swimming conditions. Reduced organic sediments help aquatic weed control by reducing the nutrient mix they are growing in.

The second step in bringing the proper balance back to a lake is bioaugmentation. This involves the use of aerobic beneficial bacteria and enzymes which break down organic muck similar to a compost pile in your backyard, denitrifying bacteria to reduce nitrogen availability and a blend of minerals which promote healthy diatom growth to clean the water. Consistent use of these products over time will reduce nutrient availability and help keep the water clean and healthy.

A third and final step that can be deployed is our nutrient sponge. Our nutrient sponge is formulated to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen as water passes through the material. Nutrient sponges can be used wherever water flows into the lake to reduce incoming nutrients and can also be used in the lake to help reduce available nutrients. Our staff will recommend a product or combination of products based on the conditions of the lake.

CLEAN-FLO delivers cost-effective solutions for your lake restoration, with greater operating efficiency than other aeration providers. We do not pull something off the shelf to try to fit the requirements. We work with you before and after the sale to provide not only the solution to your problems but results that meet your goals. We look forward to working with you every step of the way.