It’s not the algae that keeps coming back, nor is it the over abundant lily pads, Eurasian milfoil, or any of the other invasives that may be taking over your water features. Without a doubt the biggest enemy facing the vast majority of ponds and lakes is excessive nutrients. Nutrients in the form of muck on the bottom, and suspended nutrients in the water column are the root cause of nearly every problem. Heavy algae blooms, prolific weed growth, and high pathogen levels are all fueled by high nutrient levels, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. So, the key to restoring and maintaining healthy, beautiful water features is without question, muck & nutrient reduction. Once restored, ongoing nutrient management will maintain healthy, balanced aquatic systems moving forward.
By and large, campground owners and managers already know that it’s a nearly impossible problem to solve. Adding to the challenge, water features are often the focal point of the camper experience, so keeping them pristine is paramount. To keep the weeds and algae at bay, herbicides and algaecides are applied. Just spray and forget, sending the dead algae and weeds to bottom where they add to the existing pile of organic muck. This is where the problem begins to escalate, as the muck gets ever deeper over time, water depth and volume are diminished, and water temps increase. This ensures the problems will get progressively worse. Additionally, chemicals are toxic and dangerous to healthy aquatic life such as minnows and tadpoles. Treatments also cause more days of shutting down water access following an application, which doesn’t make for happy campers.
Dredging is another option often considered. Typically, it’s a very messy and expensive endeavor that can be difficult to permit and contract. The actual process of removing so much material all at once from the bottomland is highly disruptive to fish habitat and other aquatic life.
More natural solutions such as aeration and muck pellets are good options for managing the nutrients, but they are expensive and only solve a small part of the problem. Aeration systems may help reduce the amount of algae and muck, but they don’t directly manage nutrients. Muck pellets help reduce the amount of decaying vegetation at the bottom of the pond, but you need to put so many in to make a significant difference that it becomes cost prohibitive. These types of bacteria applications are not all that effective at reducing phosphorus and nitrates suspended in the water column.
Bio-Health Pods are a new patented technology that hosts, grows, and distributes beneficial bacteria 24/7 in the water. Systems are easy to install, requiring minimal maintenance and a low annual cost. Their innovative design utilizes aeration to maximize beneficial bacteria production and distribution. The result is powerful and aggressive 24/7 treatment that breaks down organic bottom muck and reduces nutrient levels in the water column. Systems can be designed for ponds, lakefronts, or entire lakes. It is a completely natural and environmentally beneficial way to take away organic muck and the cause of algae, weeds, organic muck, noxious odors, and pathogens. The result is beautiful ponds and lakes with healthy aquatic systems that campers can use and enjoy.
Algae are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that live in a variety of aquatic environments, including ponds. During the winter months, many algae species in the Midwest United States die off due to the cold temperatures and reduced sunlight. However, there are some species that can survive these harsh conditions and emerge in early spring.
One such species is the diatom Fragilaria crotonensis. This diatom has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive in low-light and low-temperature environments. During the winter months, it produces a thick mucilage layer that helps protect it from freezing and provides a source of nutrients. This layer also helps anchor the diatom to the sediment at the bottom of the pond, preventing it from being swept away by currents.
Another algae species that is able to survive the winter in Midwest ponds is the green algae, Oedogonium. This species have the ability to produce dormant cells called akinetes that can survive in low-light and low-nutrient conditions for extended periods of time. In the fall, Oedogonium produces these akinetes, which sink to the bottom of the pond and remain dormant until the conditions are suitable for growth in the spring.
While these algae species can survive the winter months, they are not the only factors that contribute to their emergence in early spring. The timing of their emergence is also influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, sunlight, and nutrient availability. In the early spring, as temperatures begin to rise and the days get longer, the diatoms and green algae begin to grow and reproduce.
One of the potential consequences of the emergence of pond algae in early spring is the formation of harmful algal blooms (HAB’s). HAB’s can occur when there is an overgrowth of algae, often caused by an excess of nutrients in the water. These blooms can have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and can be harmful to human health, as some algae species produce toxins.
In conclusion, while many algae species in Midwest ponds die off during the winter months, there are some species, such as Fragilaria crotonensis and Oedogonium, that can survive and emerge in early spring. These algae species have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in low-light and low-temperature environments, and their emergence is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, sunlight, and nutrient availability. The emergence of pond algae in early spring can have both positive and negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, and it is important to monitor these populations to prevent the formation of harmful algal blooms.
Keith Watts started using our system back in 2022 and graciously sent us this testimonial video. We first learned about his struggle with algae at the ARVC Conference & Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina back in 2021. Adding to the challenge, chemicals were not an option for regulatory reasons. Campers love using the pond for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and all kinds of fun, so our system was the ALL-Natural choice! By putting a 2-unit Bio-Health Pod System in the water he has reduced nutrient levels in the pond, thus taking away the conditions that were causing the frequent and heavy algae blooms. Whispering Pines RV Campground is located in Cle Elum, WA on the beautiful Yakima River, and is a great place to stay whether you’re glamping or camping: Whispering Pines Website
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