Since 1987, Aquatic Environment Consultants (AEC) has been a leading provider of lake and pond consultations for a diverse client base. Our team includes aquatic biologists and technicians with a wealth of experience dealing with fisheries, lake and pond management, aeration and many other areas. Serving a wide geographic area that includes Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia, we provide service and support for:
- Private landowners
- Parks and recreation facilities
- Golf courses and other commercial operations
- Housing associations and multi-unit residential properties
- Fisheries
We are members in good standing with a variety of major industry organizations, including North American Lake Management Society, Aquatic Plant Management Society, American Fisheries Society and various regional and statewide associations.
Common Lake and Pond Problems
Lakes and ponds are highly complex ecosystems. Some of the most commonly occurring problems in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions include:
- Algae blooms: All lakes and ponds contain some algae. If that population gets out of control, however, it can lead to unsightly blooms that steal resources from other plants and animals, leading to an imbalanced ecosystem. Algae blooms can be remediated through mechanical, physical, biological or other interventions. Once the problem has been taken care of, ongoing management is essential to prevent a recurrence.
- Fish kills: Fish are an important aspect of lakes and ponds. Sudden die-off or failure to thrive can be caused by a number of factors, including poor oxygen, algae blooms, bacterial growth, limited food supply and more. Identifying the cause of the problem is an important goal of a lake evaluation.
- Poor water quality: A lake or pond may also suffer from high levels of E. coli, muddy/turbid waters caused by erosion and other quality issues that make it unsafe or unappealing for human enjoyment.
Whatever the specific challenges faced by your lake or pond, AEC can help. A pond or lake consultation is the first step towards developing a comprehensive plan that will solve the above problems and simplify the overall maintenance and management of your property.
What’s Included in a Consultation?
Every lake and pond is different. A consultation with AEC gives our technicians the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the specifics of your lake or pond’s size, geography, environment and other factors that will determine the best way to keep it healthy and clean over time. During the initial consultation, our technician will gather important information about your lake or pond by:
- Performing a visual survey of the area, identifying the various biological and physical components of the aquatic ecosystem
- Identify invasive or problematic species of concern
- Speaking with you or your maintenance team about specific concerns, challenges and other issues you want addressed
Once we have completed this assessment, we’ll work with you to develop a strategy to address any issues our team has identified and put together a protocol for further testing or other work.
Long-Term Maintenance and Management Options
A lake consultation from AEC is typically the first step in a developing a long-term maintenance and monitoring program. Once any emergency interventions have been completed and effective controls are in place, keeping your lake or pond healthy for the long term is easy and cost-effective.
Following your initial consultation, our experts will determine what specific factors to test and monitor for. Having established a water quality baseline, we can track changes over time and identify when preventative maintenance is necessary. We will also determine what, if any, one-time steps need to be taken to get your lake or pond healthy again. This can include installing a fountain or aerator or clearing away any excessive vegetation.
It all begins with a lake or pond consultation from the AEC team. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment with one of our expert technicians.