Fisheries and Pond Management
Environmental Services, Inc. (ESI) provides professional lake management services to corporations, private pond owners, municipalities, and golf courses. The program is operated by Certified Fisheries Scientists who have nearly thirty years of combined experience managing lakes and ponds.
Lakes, ponds, and streams and the water they contain are some of the most valuable assets of a given property. While a clean and abundant water supply is critical to the physical and economic health of every community, the benefits and positive impacts of any water body can go far beyond simply providing water. Lakes and streams can be the centerpiece of parks and recreation areas and provide outdoor recreational opportunities such as: fishing, bird watching, canoeing or boating, as well as important fish and wildlife habitat and green space. Properly managed lakes and ponds can improve the quality of life in any community, and increase the desirability of an area for economic growth.
Participation in outdoor recreation is important because it fosters greater environmental awareness and interest in natural resources. Recreational behavior studies have identified reasons why people do not participate in outdoor recreation. The most common reasons are often related to a limited supply of safe, well-managed outdoor recreational opportunities near populated areas. Lakes need regular maintenance to reach their full potential, just as any recreational facility such as ball fields, tennis courts, or swimming pools. The benefits of professional lake management can be provided to county residents at a relatively low cost when compared to the cost of maintenance for a single park, ball field, or sports facility.
Lake management services include:
- Fish Population Analysis
- Aquatic Weed Control
- Habitat Enhancement
- Water Quality Testing
- Lime Application
- Fertilization
- Fountains
- Aeration
- Fish Stocking
Water Quality
Water quality parameters will be tested to ensure that the water is healthy and safe for the neighborhood residents as well as fish. Basic water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, hardness, alkalinity, visibility, and temperature are tested. Additional parameters that will be tested on an as needed basis are Fecal Coliform, Nitrate, Sulfate, Phosphorous, and Potassium.
Weed & Algae Control
Maintenance and eradication of aquatic weeds will begin immediately. Aquatic weed growth will be addressed and treatments initiated before serious problems arise. The cost of labor and herbicide application (if necessary) for aquatic weed and algae control is included in this proposal. The cost of the herbicides can vary significantly from lake to lake and are billed as costs are incurred.
Ecosystem Health
Environmental Services will maintain aesthetically pleasing ponds by controlling unwanted plants and algae. Lime, fertilizer, or other water treatments will be added as appropriate to maintain an appealing appearance and healthy water quality and fish populations. We will plant wetland plants in some areas to stabilize the shoreline and improve appearance and water quality. Exposed clay banks along the shoreline will be covered improving the views of the pond. Shoreline and wetland plants along with nesting structures for birds can also be placed to improve wildlife habitats and enhance the educational value of the lakes.
Fish Population Assessment
Fish populations will be sampled annually, or more often if needed to accomplish the goals for each pond. Electrofishing equipment allows us to manipulate the fish populations by removing fish if appropriate, and we will stock fish to enhance the fish populations in some situations. Predator condition, growth rates, and population dynamics of the fish will be analyzed. Fish will also be checked for parasite and disease problems, another indication of the overall health of the lake. A written report of sampling results will be provided at year end.