In the heat of the summer, algae growth can consume a lake or pond. Weird smells, fish kills, and the green spread of algae can make your water features seem intolerable. Algae growth isn’t healthy for you or your lake. Let’s talk about some ways to help remedy an algae-ridden lake or pond.
Sometimes all that spraying from your lake management company doesn’t quite eliminate your algae problem. Sediments at the bottom of your lake or pond could be driving the algae growth and be beyond topical treatments. Dredging a pond can help prevent the growth of algae by addressing several factors that contribute to algae proliferation. Here’s how dredging can be beneficial in algae control:
- Nutrient Reduction: Algae thrive on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can accumulate in the sediment at the bottom of the pond. Dredging involves removing the nutrient-rich sediment, reducing the available nutrients for algae growth. By reducing the nutrient load, dredging can help inhibit the growth of algae.
- Sediment Removal: Sediments in the pond can serve as a source of organic matter that promotes the growth of algae. Dredging removes the sediment layer, which can contain decomposed plant material, excess organic matter, and accumulated nutrients. By removing this sediment, dredging helps eliminate a potential food source for algae, reducing their growth potential.
- Enhanced Water Quality: Dredging can improve water quality by removing accumulated sediment, which may contain pollutants and contaminants. These substances can contribute to poor water quality and can directly or indirectly support algae growth. By removing the sediment, dredging can improve water clarity and reduce the presence of substances that promote algae growth.
- Increased Water Depth and Circulation: Dredging can increase the depth of the pond, leading to a larger water volume. This increased volume can enhance water circulation, which is important for preventing stagnant areas where algae can thrive. Improved water circulation helps distribute nutrients more evenly, discouraging localized algae growth and promoting a healthier ecosystem.
Feature: Sometimes dredging can be doubly useful in repurposing bottom sediments into a shoreline restoration project, like the one featured here. However, it’s important to note that not all bottom sediments feature the stability necessary for shoreline restoration. A professional will need to review the bottom sediments first to ensure they are not harmful and possess the correct characteristics for stabilization after dewatering. (You wouldn’t want a soft, sagging, unstable and unsafe shoreline!)
- Habitat Modification: Dredging can reshape the pond’s bottom contours, creating varying depths and slopes. This habitat modification provides more diverse microenvironments, which can help establish a balanced ecosystem. The presence of submerged vegetation, shallow areas, and deeper zones can support a greater diversity of aquatic plants and animals. This diversity can contribute to natural checks and balances in algae growth, as some organisms may compete with or consume algae.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of dredging in preventing algae growth can vary depending on the specific conditions of the pond and the underlying causes of the algae problem. Before initiating any dredging activities, it is recommended to consult with a professional pond or lake management expert who can assess the pond’s unique characteristics and recommend appropriate strategies for dewatering and sediment control.
If you have any questions or concerns about your dredge project, we encourage you to reach out to Landshore. Our team of experts is ready to review your specific challenges and assist you in finding the best possible solutions. For more valuable insights and updates from our engineering team, be sure to follow us on our social media channels listed below. We look forward to connecting with you and helping you alleviate your algae problems for your property.