Lake and Pond Aeration
Controlling biological parameters is a major concern when maintaining a high quality fishery, especially in a pond or lake system. Most often water quality and overall fishery health are handicapped by the improper management of nutrients (phosphorus, ammonium and nitrogenous compounds) or nutrient loading within a system. Traditionally, nutrient loading becomes a main concern in closed systems like a pond environment. Once the nutrients are in the system they have no means of escape or removal. Biofiltration and aeration are invaluable tools when combating both of these common issues.
Lake Bottom aeration is the process of introducing ambient air to the lake bottom, oxygenating and circulating the water. Without proper aeration, circulation, ponds and lakes can be stratified, trapping toxic gases (ammonium and nitrogen) as well as decomposing organic matter to the pond bottom. Decomposing matter consumes oxygen through different biological processes, often depleting all available oxygen in this lower layer that is needed by fish and macroinvertebrates. Aeration replenishes this oxygen supply, speeding the decomposition process and in turn circulating the pond water. This movement brings the toxic gases to the surface where they can be released into the atmosphere. During winter months, the trapping of gasses under the ice cap can be detrimental to fisheries (see Winterkill below). Aeration will ensure open water in the ponds through winter circulation, while allowing proper gas exchange to take place. Solar aeration, is nearly always an option for offgrid locations.
In addition to minimizing the effects of trapped toxic gases, earation stratifies the water column, reducing the negative effects of an event called Pond Turnover. This phenomena is described as the detrimental mixing of lake layers that reduce available oxygen to fish and macroinvertebrates. Though turnover can happen in the spring, it’s occurrence is traditionally associated with cooling fall temperatures. During pond turnover, the upper region (epilimnion) of a pond cools and becomes more dense than the warmer layer below, causing the water to gravitate towards the pond bottom. Displacement of the lower portion of the water column (hypolimnion) forces the two portions of the water column to mix, creating “Pond Turnover.”
Eutrophication is another term tossed around in pond management; Eutrophication takes place when the normal supply of organic nutrients to a body of water increases, causing an imbalance in the pond system. The source of these nutrients generally come in the form of crop and turf fertilization as well as when the use of aquatic herbicide & algaecide (2,4-D, Cutrine, Copper Ethanolamine) kills off algae and pond weed, thus creating more organic fertilizer as it decomposes at the bottom. This influx of nutrients, and resulting increase in biomass, increases the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) requirements of the system. BOD is calculated by multiplying the number of living organisms on a pond system by the amount of oxygen they require for survival.
Many high elevation fisheries suffer from winterkill (massive die-off) on an annual basis, and require supplemental stocking of gamefish to maintain a viable fishery. Ice capped lakes trap the toxic gases, essentially suffocating the fish and macroinvertebrates through a lack of available oxygen. The circulation and oxygenation of the pond fulfill the biological oxygen demands for the whole system and ensure healthy populations of gamefish year round. Without aeration, fisheries managers must stock gamefish routinely to maintain sufficient populations.
In order to maintain a fishery or pond health of the highest caliber from the bottom up, the inclusion of aeration is paramount. Full Curl Habitat’s years of developing innovative fisheries management techniques afford our clients the carefree effectiveness of an excellent management system providing years of beneficial service.
Solar & Conventional Aeration Systems
No electricity? No problem! Our state of the art Solar Aeration systems can be installed nearly in any Off Grid pond or lake. Our proprietary design offers ease of use with an auto-intel control system as well as minimal maintenance. Our light weight Lith-ion Batteries are also held with a 10 year warranty. There is no substitute for an industrial quality, hand built aeration system; ours have proven the test of time with units over 15 years old still in use.