Aquascapers win for a community cause

On Saturday, June 8, Evan Carpenter (our Lake Operations Manager) and Tim Parker (former Aquascape Lake Technician) entered the Fishing for Funds 2013 Tournament in Mountain Park, Ga. The catch and release fishing tournament was a fundraiser for the Mountain Park Playground, with a goal of raising $75,000 in order to purchase a new playground. In addition to contributing to a good cause, Evan and Tim came in FIRST PLACE! For more information about the Mountain Park Playground, go to http://www.mpcivicclub.org/

Tim Parker & Evan Carpenter, 2013 Fishing for Funds Tournament Winners!

Aquatic invaders in Henry County

WSB-TV recently featured a story about a Henry County pond that has big problems with parrotfeather, an invasive plant that was introduced intentionally by a neighbor (watch the video here).

We see this kind of problem way too often. Here are a couple of past articles that address the issue:

• Bucket Biology is Bad Business
• Keeping Your Runoff Clean

The bottom line: Stick to native plants in and around the water, and don't dump anything in your pond!

Phoslock treatment for phosphorus reduction

Our team recently assisted one of our clients in solving a pressing problem with their lake. The lake was exhibiting hypereurotrophic characteristics (frequent and severe nuisance algal blooms and low transparency). In particular, this lake has experienced repeated blooms of various forms cyanobacteria (aka Blue Green Algae) including Mycrosystis. This type of algae can produce toxins which can produce adverse effects in fish, waterfowl, pets, livestock and in certain cases humans. Water quality testing revealed that the lake had extremely high phosphorus levels, a typical cause of hypereurotrophic conditions. The accumulation of free reactive phosphorus in the water column and bottom sediments it not uncommon in older impoundments in urban watersheds.

To address the problem, we consulted SePro to determine an appropriate application of Phoslock, a phosphorus reducing product. In order to “reset the ecological clock” in the lake (in other words, to return the water body to a much lower phosphorus level), Phoslock was used to permanently bind free reactive phosphorus in the lake. This is a relatively new technology that has proven to be both safe and effective. Read more about how it works here. Follow-up water quality testing will be done within 30 days of the application. 

Here's a video of the application process:

And photos:

On Earth Day, Look to Your Own Backyard to Make a Difference

Earth Day is the perfect time to give some thought to how you should maintain your property to protect your watershed. For example:

• If you live on a lake or pond, plant a buffer strip of dense, native vegetation  to stabilize the shore edge and filter pollutants. The Georgia Native Plave Society frequently posts information about local native plant sales. Permitting may be required for buffer zone planting, so check with local authorities before proceeding.
• Seed and mulch any bare soil on your property to minimize erosion. 
• If you undertake any significant construction projects (i.e., a room addition), disturb no more ground than is necessary.
• If you are already experiencing erosion issues and/or loss of shoreline stability, consider having your property professionally evaluated.

You can also go a step further by getting engaged on the community level  . . .

• Support “best management practices” for development and help local authorities to ensure that construction site soil and erosion control ordinances are enforced by reporting any concerns you have.
• Contact local, state, and national public officials to voice your interest in keeping your lake clean, healthy, and usable. Emphasize the economic, recreational, and ecological value of the lake.
• Support wetland preservation. Wetlands protect lake water quality by acting as natural filters of pollutants and furnishing critical fish and wildlife habitat.
• Participate in groups, projects, and events that promote conservation, lake and watershed protection, and shoreline clean-ups.

Track the progress of the season with the "Frog Symphony"

The Spring 2013 issue of Northern Woodlands magazine has a terrific article about frog and toad songs. "The Annual Frog Symphony" posits that careful listeners can enjoy a symphony in "three major movements" of frog and toad calls through the spring season, and features a gallery of sound clips (with lovely illustrations by Lauren DiBiccari of the amphibian "musicians") for your listening pleasure. Check it out!