Condo Media - August 2017 - 38

TREAD WATER
you or someone you know are uncertain
about vegetation growth or water quality
safety, contact a lake or pond management professional for direction.
HOW DO WE GET RID OF ALGAE?
Algae blooms can be the result of various
factors, but are usually due to excessive nutrient loading from fertilizers, sewage and
animal waste. Identifying and quantifying
nutrient sources, both internally and externally, is the first step in developing a successful algae management plan. The original nutrient source should be addressed,
if feasible, to minimize the potential for
future algae issues. Appropriate proactive management should follow to ensure
long-term results. Nutrient inactivation
treatment can be performed by a licensed
professional to remove available nutrients
from within the waterbody. In some cases,
installation and use of an aerator can aid in
algae growth mitigation. Aeration systems
increase available dissolved oxygen within
the water; this supports the breakdown of
organic matter and consumption of excess
nutrients present, potentially discouraging
algae growth. Aeration systems are available as submersed diffusers or as floating
fountain features. Algaecide treatments
conducted by licensed applicators can
occasionally be necessary, in combination
with other efforts, to overcome algae issues
as well.
HOW DO WE TREAT INVASIVE
AQUATIC PLANTS LIKE MILFOIL?
Milfoil is a non-native, invasive plant that
plagues many lakes and ponds throughout New England and most of the United
States. The primary invasive milfoil species in New England are Eurasian milfoil
(Myriophyllum spicatum) and variable
milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum).
Milfoil plants have feather-like leaves,
and are capable of thriving in wide ranges
of aquatic habitats. Other invasive species
commonly found through the region
are: curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton
crispus), fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana),
hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), brittle naiad (Najas minor), water chestnut (Trapa
natans), purple loosestrife (Lythrum

CONDOMEDIA

salicaria), and common
reed (Phragmites australis). For all of these species,
milfoils included, there
are various management
options available, but most
common is aquatic herbicide treatment. Treatment
is usually performed via
boat and subsurface injection to target growth areas.
Physical removal using a
mechanical harvester or
hydro-rake can be used for
some species (e.g. water
chestnut and common
reed); this is not recommended for species like
milfoils as they spread
through plant fragmentation. Smaller scale options,
such as bottom barriers,
are also available but have
site- and plant-specific
applicability.
WHY IS OUR
WATERBODY MURKY?
If the water is murky and
a brown or tan-ish color,
sediment particles are
likely suspended within
the water column. This
often happens after a large
rain event, so shoreline
areas should be inspected
to identify places of erosion where sediment has
been entering the water.
Ideally, this sediment
input should be addressed
and minimized, as runoff
sediments often carry nutrients too. In some cases,
murky water can also be
due to an algal bloom as
algae is not always green.
Some algae species are
actually red, brown, or
golden, and can bloom at
various times of the year.
A murky pond could also
be a sign that water levels

While algae is often blamed as the cause of a green pond,
there can be many other explanations for the color change.
Professional water quality monitoring and analysis can reveal
data about the condition of a waterbody and be used to
develop a comprehensive management plan to restore the
health and beauty of the ecosystem.

Many nuisance and invasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil
can be found crowding out native vegetation in nutrient-rich
lakes and ponds across the Northeast. An integrated pest
management plan will comprehensively address the problem
while minimally affecting native and beneﬁcial wildlife.

Hydro-raking allows for the selective removal of nuisance
rooted vegetation, and can clear accumulations of bottom
muck and debris in lakes and ponds. Routine hydro-raking
maintenance can help prolong the need for future dredging
and enhance the health and beauty of a lake or pond.

Condo Media - August 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - August 2017