Managing Lakes vs. Ponds

Stormwater ponds require consistent maintenance and monitoring to ensure they function as intended. Solutions such as floating fountains and surface aerators can help correct dissolved oxygen deficiencies by creating turbulence that promotes oxygen transfer at the surface. Because of this, they are only recommended for shallower ponds less than six feet deep. Deeper, larger lakes can benefit from submersed aerators, which pump air to the bottom through tubing. As air bubbles rise, they circulate and oxygenate the water column.

Elevated nutrient levels in stormwater ponds may require nutrient remediation services using products like Phoslock (1) and EutroSORB (2), which physically bind with and remove excess nutrients to help prevent the likelihood of weeds and algae. Phosflow and EutroSORB F, which are absorbent media contained in small permeable bags, are most effective at capturing nutrients when placed around pond inlets and outlets.

Aluminum sulfate (alum) is another nutrient remediation product recommended for lakes, usually larger than 10 acres. Using specialized barges, alum can be applied rapidly and uniformly across vast areas to bind with nutrients. Then, the nutrients sink with the alum floc and become trapped and inactivated in the bottom sediments, helping to improve water clarity and limit future water quality issues.

Shoreline management plays a crucial role in nutrient control. Planting vegetative buffers around stormwater ponds can help limit nutrient pollution and slow the flow of water during storms. While maintaining a buffer around a larger lake may not be realistic, vegetation can be planted around recreational areas or specific spots with heavy nutrient loading.

If shorelines are severely eroded, restoration may be necessary using bioengineering techniques to create “living shorelines”. These efforts are generally easier and more cost-effective around smaller ponds, but large lakes can be repaired in phases or only in high-traffic areas.

All waterbodies naturally lose depth over time, which means they all require a form of depth restoration to maintain functionality. Dredging services can restore a stormwater pond’s water-holding capacity and increase the depth of lake coves and recreational areas.

Hydro-raking is a cost-friendly alternative for spot removal of muck build-up, prolonging the need for dredging. Bathymetric mapping services help assess sediment build-up and predict future dredging needs.

Regardless of size, proper planning and budgeting are essential for the consistent management of waterbodies. Understanding the differences between small stormwater ponds and large lakes, and implementing appropriate management practices will ensure they meet the needs of those who rely on them.