Lake and Pond Maintenance Tips

Lake and Pond maintenance

Wet detention ponds are used to improve the quality of local water and to help control flooding in suburban areas. This makes wet pond maintenance a priority for homeowners and those that live around them to avoid bad smells and mosquito infestations. A clear understanding of routine maintenance, non-routine maintenance and when they are each appropriate will make the care of a wet pond easier.

Routine Maintenance

There are 4 parts to routine maintenance: inspection, managing vegetation, managing trash and debris and regular structural checks. An inspection should be done after large rainfalls and at least monthly when no large rainfalls have occurred. This inspection will indicate when some of the other routine maintenance is needed.

Vegetation

Vegetation around the pond must be managed. It is important to keep grass mowed and other plants under control. In addition it is important to keep grass and plants growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides that will get into the water. Adding an area of wetland vegetation that is not meant to be mowed around the pond can help reduce algae growth and manage the amount of nitrogen that is getting into the water.

Trash and Debris

Inspection after a rainfall may reveal debris or trash that is washed into the pond or the inlet and outlet areas of the pond. Picking up and removing this trash and debris will keep the pond functioning properly. Pay particular attention to the emergency spillway and trash rack.

Non-Routine Maintenance

There may be times when additional maintenance is required. If the vegetation is not growing well it should be replaced as soon as possible. Grass and plants help to filter the water and keep the ground from eroding.When a wet pond is working correctly it collects sediment after every rain. When this sediment builds up too much the pond loses depth, and thus the ability to manage floods. Check the depth of the sediment regularly and when it gets over %25 of the original pond it is time to remove it. Sediment may also need to be removed if it has begun to block the outlet or inlet for the pond. Any time dirt or debris blocks these areas it will impact the effectiveness of the pond.

Over time areas such as the trash rack or spillway will need to be replaced or repaired. Water and debris damage these areas over time. If there is a fountain or aerator to keep the water moving and prevent mosquito populations this may need to be replaced or repaired occasionally as well.

Regular maintenance will ensure the pond not only functions as designed but add to the landscape of the home. For more information on wet pond maintenance contact us.