As the weather starts to heat up during the summer, many HOA and golf course pond managers will begin to see an increase in nuisance algae and other issues that can cause headaches.
Extended sunlight hours will contribute significantly to the problem. As these algae blooms start to take hold, they can choke the life out of a once-pristine pond and turn it into an unsightly and foul-smelling muck pit.
We want to share a few tips on how golf course and HOA community managers can perform some simple maintenance that will help keep your ponds looking great throughout the hot weather months ahead.
Perform Water Tests
One of the first things you’ll need to do is test the water quality. This testing will provide a baseline and enable you to make intelligent and cost-effective decisions about the maintenance you need to perform.
For example, do your ponds contain fish and various water plants? If so, you need to monitor the PH, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Many fish and plants can only survive in a narrow band of water parameters. Any deviation outside of this can cause health problems or die-offs.
While you can hire a professional, buying a kit on Amazon or a professional pond supply shop and having maintenance personnel perform the water tests is often more cost-effective. Your maintenance crew will proactively keep the bodies of water clean and clear.
Nuisance Algae
Algae outbreaks are common in the summer months. They can cause thousands of dollars in maintenance repair bills and sometimes give off offensive odors that cause homeowners and golfers to complain.
Algae blooms occur when the sun shines on nutrient-rich waters. They multiply rapidly and form an unsightly mat of yellow-green muck on the surface of the water. As the algae outbreak grows, it consumes most of the water’s oxygen, leading to fish and plant die-offs. In some cases, the algae can be toxic to humans or animals.
The leaves and other organic debris that fall to the ground during the fall and winter will make their way to the bottom of the pond. There is very little oxygen at these depths and even fewer beneficial bacteria to break down the organic matter. The result is debris that piles up and doesn’t decompose. It will continue accumulating, building up, and giving off various nutrients that feed the algae blooms for many years.
The best way to prevent a nuisance algae outbreak is to dredge the pond at least once a year. Dredging removes the organic muck layer at the bottom of the pond that feeds the algae blooms. After the dredging process, you can keep the organic muck that’s been dredged and drained—it is some of the best fertilizers imaginable and completely eco-friendly!
Preventive Maintenance
Does your golf course or HOA pond use mechanical equipment to aerate the ponds or pull water for irrigation? Now is the ideal time to send a maintenance crew to inspect the pipes, tubes, and mechanical parts to clear any blockages. The last thing you want to do is have something broken down in winter when the repair options are costly and limited. If you need commercial divers to help inspect your HOA or golf water systems, contact us immediately before the damage to your body of water gets too bad.
Plant Maintenance
Depending on what type of plants you have grown in and around your pond, you may need to perform some preventative plant maintenance. This not only helps from an aesthetic standpoint but can keep the plant ecosystem healthy during the warm summer months when the oxygen supply in the water is limited.
Invasive insects are another concern. If your pond has water lilies and similar plants, an insect called the lily beetle will lay their eggs on top of it. When their larvae hatch, they will start to consume the plant at a rapid pace. Lilies will begin to look like Swiss cheese and eventually die. The best solution to this pest problem is to regularly prune the lilies when you notice signs of brown discoloration.
HOA, Private, or Golf Course Pond Management
Nationwide Expert Pond Dredgers
At American Underwater Services, we specialize in HOA, golf courses, farms, and homeowner pond dredging. We can help you regain control over your ponds and turn them into crystal-clear water havens for fish, animals, and people alike. Call us today at (817) 377-8512 to learn more about our nationwide pond dredging and cleaning services. We can travel anywhere in the continental U.S. to help you with your dredging needs.
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