View source for Lake and Pond Vegetation

Having ponds or a lake on your property is really a plus. However, make no mistake; it is a lot of work managing, maintaining and making sure they don’t become overrun by [[Algae_and_Pond_Maintenance|algae]] and vegetation. The internet is a good source for researching treatments for water overrun with vegetation. Some suggest herbicides that can be used in water and others even suggest using rakes, nets, and anything to get the plant growths out of the water. Some of these methods work well but some can be a disaster with severe consequences. Even after you research the internet, it is important to positively identify the type of vegetation. This is best done by an aquatic lake and pond. People with lakes or ponds on their property will request treatment for lily pads when in actuality they have a water shield or algae problem. Knowing the type of plant vegetation or algae is crucial in determining the type of treatment.

Another common error is duckweed or water meal mistaken for algae. These all look like green scum on top of the water and are difficult to distinguish between. Some plants such as hydrilla and Egeria fool even ecologists into mistaking which is which. To get the right treatment you must know the name of the plant and what treatment is right. The most widely used treatment is probably a copper based herbicide. They do work on many kinds of pond and lake weeds and algae but of the most common ones water meal, duckweed, water shield and hydrilla won’t even be touched by a copper based herbicide. Trying to take out hydrilla with rakes and other tools can actually backfire. Cutting off pieces of the plant actually helps the hydrilla grow at a faster pace. 

All natural lake and pond bacteria are a great alternative to dredging. Trees, leaves fertilizers and duck droppings just to name a few will contaminate a pond creating a layer of silt or muck and sludge in the bottom of a [[Watermeal_Control|pond]]. Until recent years, the expectable method for the removal of sludge was dredging. A good bacteria will complete this task for a fraction of the price not to mention the preservation of you landscaping.

So do your research but make sure you have the proper treatment. Remember to contact a professional in order to formulate the appropriate treatment application for your lake or pond.

By: Bradley Skierkowski