Principles of Lake Health Management:
How Aquatech works with you. Aquatech Environmental systems In business since 1996
Lakes require knowledge and maintenance to assure their health and continued beauty.
“Lakes are living entities, which evolve and age. If left alone lakes gradually fill in and become swamps and then meadows. This is natural. This process can take thousands of years or just a few depending largely on the geomorphology of the lake and activities around the lake. People may think that they want a “natural” lake, but what they really want is to maintain the lake in a relatively young condition rather than letting it age and transform into a swamp. This is not different than what people try to achieve around their homes. Considerable time and money are spent maintaining gardens in a particular age of trophic state rather than letting them evolve naturally to weeds and shrubs. Lakes also require knowledge and maintenance to assure their health and continued beauty.”
Quotation from, “Principles of Lake Health Management” by Karl F.
Ehrlich, Ph.D. & Marie-Claude Cantin, Ph.D.
There are five principal steps to a successful lake health care maintenance or restoration program:
Our Proven Process, Produces Results
1. Definition of the treatment goals, what exactly is desired and what is possible
Clearer water, control of algae and/or rooted aquatic plants, odour control, a refuge for water fowl, swimming, supply of irrigation water. Some of these goals may conflict with others. It is important for users of the lake to understand clearly what is possible and realistic and what is not.
2. Definition of physico-chemical and biological realities
Parameters such as shape and depth of the lake, water and chemical inputs and losses, physico-chemical composition of the water and biological populations, within the lake, are critical factors to be integrated in a management plan. The health of the lake cannot be assured without considering the surrounding drainage basin with respect to run off, choice of fertilizers and fertilizing practices etc.
3. Development of the management program for the lake
This is based upon integration of the treatment goals (Step 1), knowledge of the lake (Step 2) and legal realities.
4. Implementation of the management program
This includes a treatment plan as well as regular health monitoring. It is not possible to prescribe a single treatment protocol for all eventualities for a living community for all time. A sound lake health care maintenance program must be able to be adjusted with seasons, age or accidents. This approach is no different than what we do when we go to a doctor or a dentist. Examinations are obviously required to optimize treatments.
5. Feedback and interaction between the lake health care team and users association
In the case of management of lakes it is essential to maintain regular communication with the users associations for feed back on the program as well as possible changes in the treatment goals (Step 1).
How Aquatech Environmental Systems Ltd. Can Help.
How Aquatech Environmental Systems Ltd. Can Help.
“Bacta-Pur® biotechnological products contain beneficial communities of natural bacteria, which have been on earth for millions of years. They are grown in the right proportions to create powerful teams that improve water quality and accelerate the transformation of organic wastes into bacterial biomass, carbon dioxide and water. EVERY PRODUCTION OF BACTA-PUR® biotechnologies is analyzed and cleared; for shipment only when CERTIFIED PATHOGEN FREE using techniques from the food industry.”
Water tests would help in determining the physico-chemical composition of the water – e.g., if dissolved oxygen levels are very low, an aeration system could help rejuvenate the pond; if ammonia levels are too high – bacterial augmentation may be required; pH may be too low (acidic) and water may require a buffer for biological processes.
Aquatech manufactures it’s own brand of lineal aeration tubing. It uses little energy and is an excellent product for increasing dissolved oxygen levels. We design and install aeration systems according to the requirements of treatment goals. We can also do water tests to determine if either aeration or bacterial augmentation is required.
Based on water tests and what your goals are, we can help you develop a plan to achieve your goals.
Monitor the progress of the treatment and recommend any adjustments that may be required.
Your feedback is important to us. With your observations of the pond on a regular basis, you will notice any changes that are occurring, good or bad, which may need to be addressed. We will listen to any concerns you may have and do our best to address these concerns.
