Storm Water Pond Management

Pond Water Management refers to the control of aquatic weeds and noxious algae in bodies of stormwater often called retention ponds. Small water bodies in housing developments, business parks, shopping centers, and golf courses are stormwater ponds. These man-made bodies of water are designed by engineers and permitted by water management districts. Stormwater ponds vary in size, depth, slope, and age, which influences how they are best managed.

Stormwater ponds serve three primary functions: flood control, limiting water pollution, and enhancing property values. Pond management plays a direct and significant role in all three.

• Ponds with excess aquatic weeds such as cattails can clog the inflow and outflow of water which slows percolation resulting in flooding.
• Non-functioning stormwater ponds also cause water pollution by discharging “untreated” stormwater. “Untreated” means the water has not been filtered and the pollutants have not been assimilated.
• The third function of aesthetics has a direct impact on the value of nearby properties or an entire neighborhood.

Stormwater management contracts are typically initiated by unsightly conditions such as floating filamentous algae. Stormwater ponds in most of Florida’s developments are incorporated into the landscape as aesthetically pleasing assets appearing like they are natural lakes and ponds with native waterfowl and fish. LAPR offers a professional aquatic management program designed especially for stormwater ponds typically consisting of biological, chemical, and mechanical control methods.

Services are provided in intervals of bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or on-call. Other services such as floating fountain installation and maintenance, flocculation, mosquito control by larvacide application, and water testing are also available. A free assessment and quotation are available upon request.

Large Lake Hydrilla Treatment Program

Hydrilla Treatment Options

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), is a highly invasive non-native aquatic plant. If a lake becomes infested with hydrilla, it spreads rapidly and forms dense vegetative mats on the surface of the water blocking essential sunlight for flora and fauna in the water.

Hydrilla is a submerged plant, meaning its roots are fixed in the sediment at the bottom of the water body. It grows under low light conditions and survives at depths up to 30 feet. Hydrilla produces structures called turions and tubers which form new plants from root or stem fragments. These fragments are usually spread by waterfowl. If the lake is used for boating, fishing, or swimming, hydrilla invasion can greatly reduce the ability of residents or visitors to enjoy their time on the lake.

LAPR’s integrated approach including chemical and biological control methods is the most successful and cost-effective hydrilla control program available.

The aquatic herbicides selected for hydrilla treatment and the rate they are applied depends on the environmental conditions of the infested lake. The size of the lake, depth, clarity, pH, water hardness, flow or discharge, water temperature, time of year, other aquatic plants present, and various uses of the lake (such as irrigation, fishing, swimming, drinking, etc.) must be considered for successful treatment.

Thorough knowledge of aquatic herbicides and their compliant use is imperative for effectiveness in treating hydrilla as well as safety for the environment.

LAPR uses aquatic herbicides with the active chemical ingredients Fluridone, Dipotassium salt of Endothol, and Diquat Dibromide. The trade names for each of these aquatic herbicides are:

• Fluridone — Sonar, Avaste & White Cap)
• Dipotassium salt of Endothol — Aquathol K, Aquathal Super K and Hydrothol 191
• Diquat Dibromide — Reward, Tribune & others

Through years of research and testing, LAPR has determined the above herbicides to be the safest and most effective on the market.

The biological control LAPR has successfully implemented for 27 years is the sterile non-native fish, the Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella). This riverine herbivorous fish is the largest fish in the minnow family. It earnestly prefers hydrilla over all other aquatic plants for most of its lifespan making it an excellent and cost-effective biological control. Learn more about Triploid Grass Carp here.