Large Lake Management
Large Lake Invasives
Aquatic Management
Lake Treatments
Lake weeds
Clean Lake
Aquatic Control
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| Lake Restoration 395 Acres / 120 Acres of Water Chestnut |
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** Before & After Photos From The 2011 Season Below**
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| Swan Lake 395 Acres |
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This 395 acre lake is infested with the invasive aquatic weed Water Chestnut. The pond infestation started small and within a few years there was a 120 acre parcel of the lake that was covered. This lake was the ideal setting for the colliquial "Perfect Storm" for Water Chestnut. The "Perfect Storm" factors were that the lake is fairly shallow throughout with maximum depths of 3'- 5', and contained a large quantity of old tree stumps throughout. Not only does the shallow depth allow for the Water Chestnut to spread quickly, the natural flow of the lake allows for the floating seeds to spread at will and at an amazing uncontrolled rate. The tree stumps of various heights kept motor boat use to a a minimum, with limited motor boat use, there is nothing to break up the destructive weed mats.
The home owners association began looking into management options. The first option was to hand pull the weeds out of the infested areas. The association soon realized that they were over matched. Hand pulling is a tiresome, labor intensive venture. The weeds are very difficult to pull out, require heavy machinery and the sheer quantity of the pulled weed became another issue with limited areas for heavy equipment to dump the pulled weed off the property. The following year the weeds grew back in the exact same areas that had been hand pulled the previous season.
In 2009, home owners opted to use a chemical treatment approach for control of the Water Chestnut . Aquatic herbicide applications can be very effective against Water Chestnut and a wide array other aquatic weeds. Most aquatic herbicide applications will kill the entire plant. If the roots are not removed completely, which was the case in the previous year's hand pull ,the plant will generally just grow back. Also, parts that break off the plant are also most likely to root and grow. Lake treatments done early enough in the year will help prevent the plants from producing seeds, thus in turn keeping the seeds at a minimum and preventing the plants from spreading. Early Applications should also be timed so that the weeds are smaller and easier to kill in their entirety.
Finally, after years of frustration the home owners association decided on a 5 year plan to treat the Water Chestnut weed.. The first application was made in early summer of 2009. Areas where the treatment would have the most immediate impact for the home owners living on the lake. This application was minimal at only about 30 acres. And was essentially used to show the effectiveness of the treatment as well as gain support for future applications.
The second application was done in early summer 2010 to the most invaded section , a 119 acre, north section on the top portion of the lake. By targeting this large portion of lake early the plants were not yet mature and fewer seeds were produced.. Where in previous years this was the hot bed of seed production for the weed that just would not leave.
The third treatment is scheduled for the summer of 2011 we will target the same section of the lake. This will control any plants growing from seeds from previous years. In the years following, applications will be made once the plants reach the surface. This process will allow us to target the main areas of infestation. With this knowledge we can target a more specific treatment area, and help minimize cost for the home owner association.
Two years into the five year treatment plan life has already improved for residents on Swan Lake. Swimming and fishing are now possible and it is well on it way to being a viable recreational lake.
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Before and After Photos From
The 2011 Season...
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| Water Chestnut / Invasive Aquatic Plant |
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| Dense coverage on day of application |
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| Water Chestnut Coverage 1 week after application |
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| 1 week after application of water chestnut |
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| 1 Week after application |
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| 4 weeks after application was completed |
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| 6 weeks after application, no water chestnut |
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| 6 Acre Golf Course Aeration Project |
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6 Acre Lake (shown above)
14' Maximum Depth
8' Average Depth
Sub-Surface Aeration System has one 240 Volt Single Phase Power Source for a 6 diffuser system.
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| 12 Acre Lake at Business Park Northern Connecticut |
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12 Acre Lake (shown above)
22' Maximum Depth
10' Average Depth
Sub-Surface Aeration System has two 240 Volt Single Phase Power Sources for a 12 diffuser system.
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AquaMaster AquaAir 6- Six Diffuser Sub-Surface Aeration System for Large Lakes
AquaMaster AquaAir® provides ponds and lakes with superior aeration, circulation, and de-stratification. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are increased throughout the entire water column with the use of bottom-mounted diffusers. The diffusers employ a super fine micro-bubble technology resulting in the highest diffuser oxygen transfer rate (OTR) available today. The micro-bubbles draw water from the pond floor to the surface where atmospheric oxygen is absorbed and then transferred throughout the water column. This process provides excellent deterrence to thermal stratification (layers of different temperature within the water). The diffusers are connected by self-weighted Super Sink air supply tubing to a revolutionary cylindrical design enclosure containing one of four compressor sizes. System sizes range from 1/3 to 1 HP and operate with one to six diffusers.
Deep water systems are available.
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| Kasco Marine Robust- Aire System 6: Six Diffuser Sub-Surface Aeration System
Robust-Aire diffused air systems provide deep water aeration for ponds and lakes. Diffused aeration is an effective method of aeration for ponds with depths greater than 8 feet. By using compressed air injected directly into the bottom of pond, a continuous flow of water is moved upward and thousands of gallons of water are mixed with little expended energy. A Robust-Aire™ energy efficient compressor injects air to the bottom of your pond with weighted, SureSink™ air line and into the Robust-Aire diffuser assembly. The diffuser breaks up the air into micro bubbles which rise to the surface. The rising of the air bubbles creates current which transfers low-oxygen water to the surface, allows it to contact the atmosphere, and breathe. Temperature layers are disrupted and fish are able to inhabit the entire water column. Oxygen levels increase and harmful gases in the pond water are expelled.
Advantages of using a Robust-Aire System
- No electricity in the water. This can be especially important where swimming is allowed.
- No floating equipment at the surface. Boating is not hindered and the natural view of the lake can be enjoyed.
- No electricity needed at the edge of the pond or lake. Robust-Aire can be remotely installed away from the water’s edge. Air can be delivered to the water’s edge instead of electricity. This can result in an installation cost savings. This option may be preferred where it is more convenient to have the compressor system consolidated with other equipment.
- Robust-Aire is more effective at aerating deeper waters than a floating fountain or high-volume surface aerator. Robust-Aire becomes effective at 8 feet of depth and increases efficiency with respect to water flow at the water deepens. Water is pumped directly from the bottom, all the way to the top. Robust-Aire compressors can inject air 50 feet deep!
- Robust-Aire is cost effective to purchase and operate for larger surface areas. These systems can effectively destratify and aerate deep lakes with much lower equipment costs and energy consumption. Robust-Aire systems are the most efficient on the market.
- Low maintenance. Most maintenance and inspection may be conducted onshore. Rocking piston compressors do not require internal maintenance as often as other compressors.
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Otterbine Air Flo 2 with 6 Diffusers:
Diffused air is a simple concept which entails pumping air through a pipe or tubing and releasing this air though a diffuser below the water’s surface. The Air Flo 2 system has no visible pattern allowing landscape designs to remain serene and calm.
Able to operate in depths up to and exceeding 40ft or 12m, the Air Flo 2 is unique to the Otterbine aerators line as it uses quiet on-shore compressors that pump air to diffusers placed at pond bottom. Choose between stone diffusers or self cleaning dome diffusers, and they will then release oxygen throughout the water column creating mass circulation that mixes bottom and top water layers and breaks up thermal stratification. The result - a healthy, clean environment for aquatic habitat combined with many other benefits:
The Air Flo 2 system is extremely effective in all ponds with a depth of at least 6ft (2m), and all the way up to of 40+ feet (12m) depths. It breaks down thermal stratification and stimulates bottom aquatic life which feeds on algae and organic nutrients. The Air Flo 2 system is ideal for managing water quality of effluent ponds and lakes without releasing harmful particulates into the air.
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| Keeton Solaer Sub- Surface Aeration Systems:
The Solaer system is a one-of-a-kind aeration system that was developed by Keeton Industries for our clients who asked for alternatives to standard aeration. Solaer systems are great for both remote installations and environmentally conscience applications. They are for aquatic environments ranging in size from small ornamental ponds to lakes up to 5 acres. (For lakes larger than 5 acres please call us for a custom system quote.)
These fully automatic systems are designed to run up to 20 hours per day under standard operating conditions. The battery backup system allows them to run like normal under less-than-optimal conditions. Built for both hot and cold climates, no climate is too harsh for our Solaer aeration systems.
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Why spend your hard earned money on utility costs for running your aeration system when you can have a system that will run for years with no additional costs?
Our Solaer systems pay for themselves with time, resulting in an unbelievable cost savings over electric-powered aeration systems. Plus, unlike electric-powered systems, you won't have to worry about power outages reeking havoc on your aquatic habitat.
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Every Solaer system includes all of the same equipment our standard aeration systems do, AND they also include the following solar equipment:
- Solar Panel(s)
- Deep Cycle Gel Cell Solar Batteries
- Brushless DC Compressor
- Wiring Harness
- Prostar Charge Control Center
- 12/24 Volt Smart Box Converter
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