Our Aquatic Plant Management Programs include scheduled inspections and preventative applications tailored to each individual body of water and our client’s individual goals. Our approach is based on best management practices that provide the lowest risk to dissolved oxygen while restoring or maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. All of the products used by AEC are approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for aquatic use.
Planktonic Algae is microscopic algae suspended in the water that can create an appearance of an oil slick on the surface or a color tint in the water. Blue Green algae falls within this category and often is described as looking like green paint on the surface of a pond. Blue green algae can produce cyanobacteria which can be harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans. Phosphorous is the limiting nutrient in producing blue green algae blooms.
Common Species: Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Microcystis
Filamentous Algae grows in thread like strands and is tangible. There are thousands of different species of filamentous algae but most have a similar growth pattern. These types of algae typically grow in mats on the substrate of the pond or lake and when mature they float to the surface causing an unwanted nuisance.
Common Species: Spirogyra, Hydrodictyon, Pithphora
Floating plants float along the surface and depending on the species can quickly get out of hand by limiting swimming and fishing access along the shoreline with an overall toll on appearance.
Common Species: Water Lilies, Duckweed, and Water Primrose.
Submerged plants are plants that grow below the water surface. While they are less visible by pond users they can grow out of control if left unchecked and ruin fishing, swimming and outcompete other beneficial plants and animals.
Common Species: Coontail, American Pondweed and Naiad
These plants are rooted in wet and submerged soils and grow into the open air. They primarily limit water access from the shore. If water levels fluctuate or are very shallow, these types of aquatic plants are typically present.
Common Species: Cattails, Bull Rush, and Arrowhead.
This type of algae largely resembles an aquatic rooted plant like brittle naiad. Understanding the differences is crucial to proper control. It often grows in shallow shorelines and can quickly get out of hand if conditions are right. Common complaints include smell and off taste of the water.
Common types: Chara and Nitella
