When Should You Dredge Your Pond or Lake?
When it comes to ponds, lakes and stormwater systems, more maintenance is needed than what you would usually expect. In both man-made and natural ponds, a natural cycle called eutrophication occurs, making it necessary to clean up your pond in order to increase its longevity and improve its appearance.
What is eutrophication?
Eutrophication is an excess of nutrients and sediments in a body of water. This process usually is caused by the runoff of rainwater from storms into ponds and lakes. The accumulation of nutrients causes more plant growth, resulting in decreased oxygen, fish/wildlife kills, and an unsightly water feature filled with vegetation and algae.
How do I know I need to dredge?
An unhealthy pond can be identified by several symptoms. Seeing one or more of these characteristics is your sign to start thinking about upping your pond maintenance game.
1. Cloudy water
Cloudy water and a less attractive pond are key signs to look for. Sedimentation and excessive vegetation will cause your pond to become murky and/or discolored. Poor water quality is a symptom of a water system in need of clean up.
2. Foul smell
Algae build-up and nutrient accumulation will cause a foul smell that is immediately noticeable. If your pond starts to give off an odor, it’s a telltale sign that it’s time to dredge.
3. Shrinkage
A shrinking pond and a visible difference in water depth is a red flag that the water in your pond isn’t able to flow properly due to buildup. The more sediment that consumes the pond, the less available space there is for stormwater run-off, increasing the risk of nearby flooding.
4. Lack of wildlife
Too much plant and algae build-up results in a lack of oxygen in the water, causing wildlife death. Healthy ponds have their own ecosystems with many different kinds of animals including fish, insects, amphibians, birds, etc. If there is a sudden disappearance of that wildlife, it’s probably time to look into dredging.
Seeing one or more of these signs in your pond doesn’t mean you have to worry. Finding a maintenance routine doesn’t have to be complicated when you choose the right company. Get started by contacting Envirodredge at 903-570-6-3064 or emailing Dalton@envirodredge.com.
