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We have representatives located throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois to be of service to you. Our employees are trained in aquatic biology, water chemistry, fisheries, and/or limnology.We do not charge a fee to review your plans and objectives. We do, however, charge a fee for on site inspections and written recommendations. Our objectives are: After reviewing lake plans based on goals and objectives; to outline specific problem areas, offer management suggestions, and design a program to allow lakes and ponds, as much as possible, to maintain themselves when considering the following:
1. Lake priorities: Aesthetics, fish, wildlife, swimming, etc.
2. How should the lake best be shaped to accomplish your goals?
3. What water depths are necessary to obtain the objectives?
4. What rate will the watershed add to the lake's aging process?
5. How much should be budgeted for annual pond maintenance?
6. Is a bench mark water quality survey necessary?
7. Shoreline protection: Is it necessary to prevent erosion?
8. What shoreline slopes are necessary to accomplish the objectives? Are the desired slopes feasible for your soil types?
9. Water quality buffering zones, can they be incorporated into your project?
10. Water power requirements are near the shoreline should be anticipated for future needs (lights, aerators, fountains, etc.)
11. Fish desired: Habitat, species, and stocking rates vs. management objectives.
12. Fish structure and spawning habitat: How much is necessary?
13. What aquatic plants should be introduced to tie up and compete for lake's nutrient load?
14. Will an aeration system and/or a water fountain be a part of the overall lake management plans?
15. Will an access site be provided for lake maintenance?
16. Will the planned landscaping affect the lake's nutrient loading?
17. Will there be a need for future weed and algae control?
18. What will be the extent of the organic sediment accumulation within the lake?
19. How will water levels be maintained?
20. Where should the overflow structure be located?
21. What overflow design is best for your site?
22. Is it best to discharge bottom or surface water?
23. What are your options for available water supply?
24. What are the advantages of a fish hatchery license?
25. Who must approve the proposed construction site?
26. How many pond excavators have you considered?These are just a few of the many questions we try and answer whenever we are involved with a planned program or lake and pond management. The end results are beneficial for both the short and long range objectives.
PLEASE GIVE AQUATIC BIOLOGISTS A CALL.WE CAN BE OF SERVICE TO YOU!PREPARING YOUR POND
- Control nutrient loading - Surface water runoff raises phosphorus and nitrogen levels, which is food for algae. Contact Us
- Evaluate what is competing with algae for available nutrients. If you have a fertile environment algae can grow at will if it has no competition. Contact Us
- Introduced aquatic plants may be much less offensive than algae and will not only compete for the same nutrients but also will stabilize bottom sediment, filter your water, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Protect native plant species and control exotics, especially E.W. Milfoil and Curly Leaf Pondweed. Aquatic Plants
- Creating buffer zones around ponds and lake shorelines may reduce nutrient loading.
- Segmenting sections of lakes and ponds into different management objectives may enhance the entire water quality management program. Consulting Services
- Knowing several water chemistry parameters will suggest what management options will be most helpful in controlling algae and improving water quality (Total phosphorus, nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH, etc). ABI can test on site or you can send in a water sample. Contact Us
- When building ponds, usually steeper and deeper is better for fish, aesthetics, and swimming. Wildlife prefers shallow areas with extensive vegetation. Conslulting Services
- Shallow water ponds, especially ponds less than nine feet deep, will typically grow more algae and aquatic plants. Adding depth may be a management option. The higher the percentage of pond depth over nine feet deep the easier the maintenance. Consulting Services
- Ponds can be designed to collect nutrients in certain areas. Beach areas can be designed not to collect sediment and algae drift. Sand is not recommended in beach areas below the water line. Consulting Services
- Creating settling ponds to collect nutrients and drop out suspended particles before the inflowing water enters your lake or pond. Consulting Srvices
- Fish in a pond can play a major role in tying up nutrients. Remember they are at the top of the food chain. They also eat mosquito larvae. Fish
- Never fertilize lawns near a pond. You are asking for trouble when doing this. There are other options for green grass. If you must fertilize use a 16-0-8 fertilizer. Irrigating with pond or lake water is a great fertilizer. Aquatic Products & Supplies
- There are efective ways to reduce or eliminate waterfowl. They can add a great deal of nutrients to ponds and lakes especially when their numbers are high. Goose Control
- Some of the blue dyes on the market can be effective in limiting light penetration and reduce or slow down early season algae and aquatic plant growth.Algae and Weed Control
- Too little aeration can actually increase algae growth. Diffuser placement, diffuser numbers, and diffuser performance are very important when using aeration as a management tool when your goals are to improve water quality and reduce organice sediment, blue-green algae blooms, and odors. Aeration
- Decorative fountains are for aesthetics and can also drown out background noise but are very inefficient as aerators. Fountains
- Wind and solar aerators may work well for maintaining a fishery but are very limited when used as a management tool. Diffuser depth placement is important. Aeration
- Total lake and/or pond aeration can be very effective in reducing or controlling planktonic blue-green algae. The key here is turnover rate, water movement, and providing enough bottom dissolved oxygen. Aeration
- Water agitations also can be an effective management tool. But proper installation is a must. Fountains
- Buffered alum can be an effective tool for improving water clarity and also can be used to precipitate out phosphorus, algae's primary fuel. Aquatic Products & Supplies
- There are bacteria on the market that are very effective in reducing organic bottom sediment and the nutrients that fuel algae. Some varieties however do little to nothing. The higher the bottom dissolved oxygen the more effective they are. Enzymes improve their performance. Biological Treatment Products
- Shoreline stabilizations is important if your goal is clearer water. There are many options. Pond Liners Aquatic Plants
- Bio-filter, carbon/zeolite filters, UV stabilizers, and skimmers have proven to be successful in reducing some algae; particularly in shallower smaller garden ponds.
- When possible have your outlet or overflow drain out the northwest corner and draw water from or off the bottom. Surface water discharge pipes should be designed with a flush system. DOS-IR valves make a useful water management tool. Aquatic Products & Supplies
- Clams, snails, frogs, and crayfish all compete for nutrients in a pond and having some present is usually beneficial.
- Using copper sulfate, Aquazine, or Hydrothol to control your algae is poor management and usually makes conditions worse. Direct application of copper sulfate to water may cause a significant reduction in populations of aquatic invertebrates, plants and fish.Algae and Weed Control