From detention basins to natural lakes, developing an Integrated Pond and Lake Management Plan is key for successful and healthy water body.
PondWorks has been servicing and constructing ponds and water features of all sizes for more than 25 years. Things may have started with small backyard ponds but soon thereafter we segued to constructing and maintaining larger ponds including stormwater detention basins and retention basins. From natural water bodies to man-made basins for holding water after a storm and reducing erosion downstream, we have the experience to help advise and assist with managing your large pond or lake by offering an individualized Integrated Pond & Lake Management Plan.
Some ponds and basins are not originally designed to create their own ecosystem (stormwater detention basins, etc.), but over time, to quote the fictional Jurassic Park Dr. Ian Malcolm, “Nature find a way”. Ponds and lakes evolve naturally over long periods of time as surface water flows and gathers in low lying spots in the topography creating ponds and lakes. Whether it’s natural or man-made, nutrients, algae, plants, and animals find their way into most water bodies. The wind can blow seeds, birds can deposit fragments of plants or algae, surface runoff can deposit organic matter in these ponds and that can be the start of a new ecosystem. When this evolution occurs naturally, the water body’s ecosystem often finds an equilibrium. When humans construct a pond incorrectly or modify the nutrient load, water flows, flora, or fauna of a natural pond or lake, the natural balance can be lost and the overall health of the water body suffers. PondWorks can work with you in determining why your large pond or lake is not looking or functioning optimally and offer solutions to bring it back to balance.
Many Home Owner’s Associations (HOA) and corporate parks / developments that were built in the area in the last 30 years were required to design and construct large basins to temporarily store storm water runoff during rain events as part of their permitting and land development approval process. Often, these stormwater basins have maintenance requirements, inspections, and certifications that should be ongoing but are often overlooked, until there’s a problem. As long as the system is slowing the flow of rainwater, allowing some water to soak into the earth, and not damaging the waterways downstream, the stormwater system is essentially functioning as designed. Some of these basins were designed to be lawn space and allow the water to recharge the soil. When plants (cattails, reeds, etc.) are introduced to a pond or basin they can and often do foul up the system and need to be dealt with. PondWorks can assist in inspecting, developing reports, and implementing solutions to maintain a functional and beautiful development basin or pond.
Some backyard pond’s sizes are measured in gallons, some are measured in acre-feet. For those fortunate to have a large private water body on property, PondWorks is ready to help assess the health of your pond or lake, to listen to how you’d like to use it, and to help realize those visions, be it a wildlife sanctuary, a swimming pond, a farm pond, or a fishery.
Please feel free to browse our web page that explains all the services and aspects of our Pond and Lake Management system and feel free to contact us to discuss any questions or requests you may have.