Condo Media - August 2017 - 39

in the waterbody are too low. Bathymetry
studies every 3-5 years are the best way
to determine if a pond is filling in with
sediment, and can indicate when it is
necessary to conduct hydro-raking or
dredging efforts.
OUR POND IS FILLING IN-
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Sediment and organic matter often accumulate within waterbodies over many
years. Hydro-raking is available as an
option to regain depth by removing plant
material and unconsolidated bottom sediment. A hydro-rake is essentially a floating backhoe with a York-rake attachment
and can remove nuisance vegetation and
bottom debris from depths up to 10 feet.
The removed material is placed onshore
to de-water before its eventual removal
to a composting site. Removal of plant
material and unconsolidated bottom
sediments reduces in-water nutrients and
maintains open water habitat. Hydroraking offers an affordable alternative
to dredging, which can be a tremendous
expense for a community, while potentially being more site-specific depending
on the project.

propriate options and always consult your
lake or pond management specialist as
well as your local municipality and state
environmental agency before beginning
any work.
There are various management options for ailments impacting our lakes
and ponds, but the most important
element is prevention through diligent,
proactive attention to your waterbody.
It is crucial to seek out professionals to
conduct regular inspections, accurately
identify problems and develop an eco-

n KARA SLIWOSKI IS AN
EXPERIENCED AQUATIC BIOLOGIST
AT SOLITUDE LAKE MANAGEMENT.

We guarantee we will deliver results
which exceed your expectations

OUR POND HAS A LOT OF
CATTAILS-HOW CAN WE
MANAGE THAT?
Cattails can either be beneficial or a nuisance, depending on the size of the waterbody where they are located. If in scattered
patches along the shoreline of a larger lake,
cattails can provide great habitat for wildlife and are often encouraged. However,
contiguous dense and encroaching growth
can be a nuisance and a potential threat,
especially to remaining open water habitat
in small shallow ponds. Cattails can be
managed through physical removal using
a hydro-rake or aquatic herbicide applications by a licensed professional.
WHAT ABOUT PERMITTING?
As New England is a heavily environmentally regulated region, aquatic management tasks are often subject to some
degree of permitting. It is important to
keep this in mind while considering ap-

logically responsible management plan
for the aquatic ecosystem. Early detection of problematic aquatic plants and
conditions can help prevent irreversible
imbalances in your lake or pond while
enhancing its health and natural beauty.

855.552.6273
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Woburn, MA 01801

160 Old Lyman Rd * South Hadley, MA 01075

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Stratford, CT 06614

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August 2017

Condo Media - August 2017

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