Check out the following link for helpful information on the many reasons fish kills can occur in your lakes/ponds.
http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/circpdffolder/fish_kill_LR.pdf
The vast majority of fish kills in Florida result from natural occurances, but in some instances there are ways we can help to avoid them.
Ask us how we can help create and maintain a healthy aquatic environment for your fish.
Listed under: healthy lakes and ponds, fish kills, dissolved oxygen, algae, tampa bay area lakes and ponds, aquatic environments
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Helpful Tips for Keeping Your Lakes/Ponds Healthy
The following are some preventative techniques that in conjunction with Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands lake maintenance services will help keep your lakes in good shape year round. As many of you know, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a constant and unsightly problem for many of Florida’s freshwater lakes and waterways, especially in the summer months. In an effort to be more proactive and reduce reactive chemical treatments for algae blooms, GCLW suggests the following:
1) Establish a fertilizer use buffer 15-20 feet off of your lake banks – In order to encourage the rapid, healthy, and green growth of your desired landscape plants and lawns, fertilizers have a high degree of nutrients. When washed by sprinklers and rain events down the slope of a lake bank and into a lake, these fertilizers will load the lake’s water with nutrients. This nutrient loading greatly increases the odds that a lake will be overtaken by opportunistic exotic weeds or have an algal bloom. Furthermore, the subsequent treatment and decay of these noxious weeds re-releases the aforementioned nutrients into the water creating even more instances of algae blooms.
a. Fertilize wisely – Twice a year may be enough! Spring and fall are the best times.
b. Slow is best – Look for the words “slow release” or “insoluble” on the fertilizer label and it is more likely to stay in your yard and not the pond!
2) Aim grass clippings away from your lakes – Please instruct your lawn maintenance company to direct lawn mower exit cutes away from lakes when cutting grass near lake banks. When allowed to land on the surface of lakes, grass clippings will decay and release nutrients into the lake setting off the same processes as the loading of fertilizer would.
3) Plant beneficial native vegetation around lake banks – Native aquatic plants make great filters and will help remove excess nutrients from lake banks at the same time as creating aesthetically pleasing views, increasing animal habitat, and reducing lake bank erosion damage. In short, they will help remove the nutrients that cause algal blooms while providing valuable habitat to the pond’s ecosystem.
4) Aerate your lake - Lake aeration through mechanical means (i.e. surface fountains, bottom bubblers, aerators) is a valuable process for the maintenance of lake health because it provides the oxygen necessary to sustain underwater animal life and provides the water circulation necessary to help prevent algal blooms and insect-nesting on lake surfaces. In addition, the increased survivability of underwater animals (fish) attracts predatory animals such as turtles and waterfowl creating a more diverse, aesthetically pleasing ecosystem. Finally, decreases in noxious algae and insects, resulting from increased aeration and circulation, will keep herbicide and pesticide levels to a minimum.
5) Stock native fish - A healthy and diverse fish population is an important part of creating an environmentally balanced lake. Largemouth bass, bluegill (bream) and catfish are native fish commonly used for stocking Florida lakes. For the avid sports fisherman, the Sunshine Bass is an excellent choice. Florida Lakes with certain weed problems may benefit from an "integrated" water management program utilizing a combination of herbicide applications and stocking with the Triploid Grass Carp, a weed-eating fish.
6) Car Washing – Encourage homeowners to wash their cars over grass using a mild, biodegradable phosphate free detergent. Only run water during the wetting and rinsing process.
Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands thanks you for considering these techniques for preventative lake maintenance and we graciously request that you contact us at (813) 927-0902 if you have any questions about the suggestions contained in this letter or about purchasing native plants or fountains.
Listed under: lake and pond maintenance, aquatic management, fertilization, fish stocking, algae prevention, lake health, algae control, weed control
1) Establish a fertilizer use buffer 15-20 feet off of your lake banks – In order to encourage the rapid, healthy, and green growth of your desired landscape plants and lawns, fertilizers have a high degree of nutrients. When washed by sprinklers and rain events down the slope of a lake bank and into a lake, these fertilizers will load the lake’s water with nutrients. This nutrient loading greatly increases the odds that a lake will be overtaken by opportunistic exotic weeds or have an algal bloom. Furthermore, the subsequent treatment and decay of these noxious weeds re-releases the aforementioned nutrients into the water creating even more instances of algae blooms.
a. Fertilize wisely – Twice a year may be enough! Spring and fall are the best times.
b. Slow is best – Look for the words “slow release” or “insoluble” on the fertilizer label and it is more likely to stay in your yard and not the pond!
2) Aim grass clippings away from your lakes – Please instruct your lawn maintenance company to direct lawn mower exit cutes away from lakes when cutting grass near lake banks. When allowed to land on the surface of lakes, grass clippings will decay and release nutrients into the lake setting off the same processes as the loading of fertilizer would.
3) Plant beneficial native vegetation around lake banks – Native aquatic plants make great filters and will help remove excess nutrients from lake banks at the same time as creating aesthetically pleasing views, increasing animal habitat, and reducing lake bank erosion damage. In short, they will help remove the nutrients that cause algal blooms while providing valuable habitat to the pond’s ecosystem.
4) Aerate your lake - Lake aeration through mechanical means (i.e. surface fountains, bottom bubblers, aerators) is a valuable process for the maintenance of lake health because it provides the oxygen necessary to sustain underwater animal life and provides the water circulation necessary to help prevent algal blooms and insect-nesting on lake surfaces. In addition, the increased survivability of underwater animals (fish) attracts predatory animals such as turtles and waterfowl creating a more diverse, aesthetically pleasing ecosystem. Finally, decreases in noxious algae and insects, resulting from increased aeration and circulation, will keep herbicide and pesticide levels to a minimum.
5) Stock native fish - A healthy and diverse fish population is an important part of creating an environmentally balanced lake. Largemouth bass, bluegill (bream) and catfish are native fish commonly used for stocking Florida lakes. For the avid sports fisherman, the Sunshine Bass is an excellent choice. Florida Lakes with certain weed problems may benefit from an "integrated" water management program utilizing a combination of herbicide applications and stocking with the Triploid Grass Carp, a weed-eating fish.
6) Car Washing – Encourage homeowners to wash their cars over grass using a mild, biodegradable phosphate free detergent. Only run water during the wetting and rinsing process.
Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands thanks you for considering these techniques for preventative lake maintenance and we graciously request that you contact us at (813) 927-0902 if you have any questions about the suggestions contained in this letter or about purchasing native plants or fountains.
Listed under: lake and pond maintenance, aquatic management, fertilization, fish stocking, algae prevention, lake health, algae control, weed control
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Proactive Lake Maintenance
Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands is always striving to provide our customers with the best environmental services possible. In doing so we are constantly looking for ways to improve the efficiency, efficacy, and affordability of our services. At GCLW we see ourselves as more than just a vendor that sprays chemicals month in and month out, but rather a consultant hired to help our client better understand the complex issues that can be involved with management of storm water retention systems and natural environmental areas. In doing so it is vital that we maintain an open dialogue with our clients to provide them the very best in service while staying attentive to the needs of each individual community.
GCLW is currently working with various companies within the environmental management industry in order to gather the best information and technologies available. By doing so we aim to provide our customers with the best methods for remediation of the various issues that contribute to unhealthy and unsightly water bodies and natural areas while still treating the symptoms that come along with them.
Our service to our clients is more than monthly treatments of your lakes/ponds. We are also here to help you and your homeowners understand why problems arise in Florida water bodies, and what the best industry ideas and methods are that can help us remediate them. On top of monthly herbicide and algaecide treatments, there are many “tools” that can be used in the appropriate circumstances to help restore the health of the environmental areas we work in. With that being said, if you would ever like one of our representatives to attend an HOA or on-site meeting with yourself or any concerned homeowners, please do not hesitate to ask. Our goal is to have open, face-to-face meetings with our clients at least once a year to review our Treatment Plans and the issues we see in each community.
Listed under: Tampa lake and pond maintenance, aquatic management, lake and pond cleaning, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, algae control, weed control
GCLW is currently working with various companies within the environmental management industry in order to gather the best information and technologies available. By doing so we aim to provide our customers with the best methods for remediation of the various issues that contribute to unhealthy and unsightly water bodies and natural areas while still treating the symptoms that come along with them.
Our service to our clients is more than monthly treatments of your lakes/ponds. We are also here to help you and your homeowners understand why problems arise in Florida water bodies, and what the best industry ideas and methods are that can help us remediate them. On top of monthly herbicide and algaecide treatments, there are many “tools” that can be used in the appropriate circumstances to help restore the health of the environmental areas we work in. With that being said, if you would ever like one of our representatives to attend an HOA or on-site meeting with yourself or any concerned homeowners, please do not hesitate to ask. Our goal is to have open, face-to-face meetings with our clients at least once a year to review our Treatment Plans and the issues we see in each community.
Listed under: Tampa lake and pond maintenance, aquatic management, lake and pond cleaning, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, algae control, weed control
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Harbour Island Restoration - Step 1
GCLW is excited to be working with Harbour Island Community Services Association in helping to clean and restore the ponds within the community.
Harbour Island, a beautiful community located just south of Downtown Tampa, has eight ponds and more than a few very nice littoral areas that provide great habitat for the neighboring water fowl and when blooming, a beautiful aquascape for the many residents and homeowners. Unfortunately through many years of neglect, most of these areas have become inundated with various nuisance and invasive plants that are slowly choking and crowding out the more beneficial native vegetation.
The following pictures were taken before and just after the first step in the restoration process.
As you can see, the native bulrush is highly invaded by nuisance grasses, vines, and other weeds. After clearing this area of all vegetation, GCLW will use herbicides to prevent and eradicate any nuisance regrowth. Once we are sure that the area is clear, it will be replanted with native and beneficial vegetation. More over, GCLW will treat any invasive regrowth during its monthly visits to the property to ensure that the littorals stay healthy and clear of weeds.
Stay tuned for pictures and updates as the restoration efforts continue.
Listed under: lake and pond restoration, wetland restoration, aquatic weed control, pond cleaning, aquatic management, mitigation planting
Harbour Island, a beautiful community located just south of Downtown Tampa, has eight ponds and more than a few very nice littoral areas that provide great habitat for the neighboring water fowl and when blooming, a beautiful aquascape for the many residents and homeowners. Unfortunately through many years of neglect, most of these areas have become inundated with various nuisance and invasive plants that are slowly choking and crowding out the more beneficial native vegetation.
The following pictures were taken before and just after the first step in the restoration process.
As you can see, the native bulrush is highly invaded by nuisance grasses, vines, and other weeds. After clearing this area of all vegetation, GCLW will use herbicides to prevent and eradicate any nuisance regrowth. Once we are sure that the area is clear, it will be replanted with native and beneficial vegetation. More over, GCLW will treat any invasive regrowth during its monthly visits to the property to ensure that the littorals stay healthy and clear of weeds.
Stay tuned for pictures and updates as the restoration efforts continue.
Listed under: lake and pond restoration, wetland restoration, aquatic weed control, pond cleaning, aquatic management, mitigation planting
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Spring Algae Blooms
Unfortunately we have been noticing some very unusual and very large algae blooms in some of our communities this past month. With the air and water temperatures rapidly increasing it makes sense to expect some of the more "biologically productive" ponds to begin showing more signs of growth. However, in a few cases we've been able to trace the cause of these blooms directly to fertilization treatments that recently took place around said ponds.
If you are planning on doing a spring fertilization or know that your landcare vendor will be conducting one soon, please be sure to follow Best Management Practices (BMP) and be as careful as you can to keep excess fertilizer runoff from making its way into your lakes/ponds. An influx of extra nutrients along with increasing water temperatures will most likely result in unsightly blooms and possible fish kills. Be sure to leave at least a ten foot "no fertilization" buffer zone and use slow release fertilizers when possible.
As always, we will continue to treat any unwanted algae growth to keep your ponds looking clean and healthy, but prevention is always the best medicince and keeping a close eye on fertilization use can go a long way in ensuring a healthier and therefore cleaner waterbody.
Listed under: Gulf Coast, lake and pond management, aquatic management, lake cleaning, pond cleaning, Tampa,
If you are planning on doing a spring fertilization or know that your landcare vendor will be conducting one soon, please be sure to follow Best Management Practices (BMP) and be as careful as you can to keep excess fertilizer runoff from making its way into your lakes/ponds. An influx of extra nutrients along with increasing water temperatures will most likely result in unsightly blooms and possible fish kills. Be sure to leave at least a ten foot "no fertilization" buffer zone and use slow release fertilizers when possible.
As always, we will continue to treat any unwanted algae growth to keep your ponds looking clean and healthy, but prevention is always the best medicince and keeping a close eye on fertilization use can go a long way in ensuring a healthier and therefore cleaner waterbody.
Listed under: Gulf Coast, lake and pond management, aquatic management, lake cleaning, pond cleaning, Tampa,
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Spring Lake Letter
Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands would like to express our appreciation for your ongoing business with us. We take great pleasure in providing you with superior service and unparalleled communication in regards to your lakes and wetlands. That being said, we are posting this today to help update you on the state of your waterways, especially with the advent of Spring and Summer months ahead.
Supplementing the problems that Winter brought us, we saw some large weather systems accompanied by high amounts of rainfall. While we certainly welcome the high, healthy water levels, the rain also supplies the lakes with a large amount of runoff both on-site and from nearby roadways. This brings with it a large influx of nutrients, especially after fertilization treatments, leading to more algae. While we cannot prevent runoff, we do have solutions to lower the nutrients in the water, concurrent with our proactive approach to business. G.C.L.W. is the primary distributor of the new innovative Air Infuser Pond Aerator/Circulators, a revolutionary system that incorporates technology and efficiency at a cost unmatched elsewhere. We have seen astonishing results with these units in areas chronically prone to algae blooms. We would be happy to discuss this option with you at your request and convenience.
Finally, with Spring around the corner, we expect to see a resurgence of native littoral plants. You should begin to see long strands of dark-green Bulrush thriving already, followed by the purple-flowered Pickerelweed and white-blooming Arrowhead. Along with all of the blossoms of Spring come plenty of pollen, most significantly from Slash and Longleaf pines as well as Max Myrtle and Carolina Willow. Often times large amounts of this pollen is deposited on top of the lake, and just as often is mistaken for algae. With a hearty rain, most of it will disappear and should not be of any concern in regards to the health of the lake.
As always, Gulf Coast Lakes & Wetlands is available at any time to help mitigate any problems you encounter and strives to prevent them from occurring at all. Should you need to contact us regarding any issue, please do not hesitate to. Thank you for your time and interest and have a wonderful Spring.
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