Back to Basics

BACK TO BASICS: Consider the Rule of Three to Restore Balance to Your Aquatic Ecosystem

When developing a management plan for a lake or pond, it is important to keep its purpose and priorities in mind. Is it strictly aesthetic? Used for fi shing or recreation? Maybe it facilitates irrigation, drinking water, fi re suppression, or stormwater collection?

An eff ective freshwater management program can be compared to the importance of each leg on a “three-legged stool.” Th ink of each “leg” of this metaphorical stool as representative of the (1) physical, (2) chemical, and (3) biological components of a freshwater resource. If one part of this trinity breaks down, the others will follow. Th e overall health of a waterbody is based on maintaining balance of each component.

Th e fi rst leg of the stool—the physical characteristics of a lake or pond—include features such as size, depth, volume, bottom substrate, water source, and water exchange through the system. Each physical characteristic can aff ect how a lake or pond responds to environmental conditions. For instance, shallow ponds with excessive buildup of bottom muck and sediment, or those with limited water movement, will be more likely to experience algae and weed growth than large, deep lakes or ecosystems with lots of water fl ow.

Th e chemical characteristics—the second leg of the stool—refers to water quality components that can be measured such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, water clarity, and many other parameters. Poor water quality oft en occurs when these parameters become imbalanced or when polluted runoff containing fertilizers, pet or wildlife waste, landscaping debris, and other organic materials enters the water. Th is process of nutrient “pollution” is one of the most common causes of chemical imbalance in a freshwater ecosystem.

Th e third leg—or biological component of the stool comprises all living things including algae, plants, bugs, fi sh and microorganisms in the water. Moderate levels of algae and vegetation growth are natural and provide habitat and food for fi sh and wildlife, but nutrient pollution can cause growth to get out of control—blocking sunlight, limiting access for fi shing and boating, and compromising aesthetics. In addition, as plants and algae decay, nutrients return into the waterbody fueling additional growth, creating a vicious cycle. In the process, the risk of fi sh kills, off ensive odors, accumulation of bottom muck and nuisance insect populations all increase—further off setting the balance.

Understanding the benefi ts of proactive management and how to use the sustainable tools and technologies available, adds a fourth, stabilizing “leg” to the “three-legged stool.” With proactive management in place—even if one of the other components is slightly out of balance— the stool may wobble but will not fall over and also allow potential issues to be identifi ed and resolved before they become big problems.

Proactive solutions such as vegetative buff er management, shoreline stabilization, stormwater inspections, and even sediment removal support the physical leg of the stool. Th ese practices limit the infl ux of runoff and pollutants, prevent erosion and sedimentation and maintain the depth and structural components of a lake or pond.

Some of the more advanced management strategies sequester or cycle unwanted excessive nutrients. Increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations through aeration or the use of nanobubble technology enhances overall water quality and can help foster the health of fi sh and other aquatic life. Th ese proactive tools can help give more “stability” to a freshwater management plan so serious, more costly problems are far less likely to arise.

While many proactive management practices appear fairly straightforward, it is a good idea work with a professional to understand the best strategy based on the goals and conditions for each resource. A certifi ed and trained lake management professional will help balance each “leg” of the aquatic ecosystem to restore health and beauty of your pond or lake.

Written by: Erin Stewart, Aquatic Biologist & Regional Manager and Katelyn Behounek, Aquatic Biologist SOLitude Lake Management EStewart@solitudelake.com katelyn.behounek@solitudelake.com