Aeration & Fountains
Aeration and Fountains
Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois
In most natural lakes and rivers in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, the oxygen needed for biological processes is supplied by the atmosphere. Atmospheric diffusion of oxygen into these systems happens through wave action or the flow of water. In some cases, the natural processes that add oxygen to lakes and ponds are not sufficient, resulting in poor water quality and fish kills. In man-made ponds, there is generally insufficient circulation or movement of water to provide desirable levels of oxygen. The resulting low oxygen levels are associated with algal blooms, organic sediment (muck) accumulation, noxious odors, reduced water clarity, and fish kills.
Aeration is an effective, simple, and environmentally friendly technique for the maintenance and rejuvenation of ponds and lakes. Aeration aids in the mitigation of algal blooms, organic sediment (muck) accumulation, noxious odors, reduced water clarity, and fish kills. However, the aeration system must be properly designed to meet the individual needs of your lake or pond. There are countless arrays of aeration systems on the market, but most are inadequate for dealing with lake or pond water quality problems.
One size does not fit all lakes or ponds. We have met with many lake and pond owners who claim to have aeration. However, their aeration does not fit their water body's needs. Often, we find undersized systems that do not oxygenate the entire lake or pond, or a neglected system that is not delivering air to the pond. Additionally, the scale of aeration will differ depending on your management objectives. The type and size of the aeration system necessary for winter fish survival will be different from systems designed for organic muck reduction and water quality. Aeration is an incredibly useful tool when applied correctly.
After visiting your pond or lake, the biologists at Cason Land & Water Management, LLC will design an aeration system to fit the individual needs of your lake or pond. We base these on criteria such as basin depth, morphology, dissolved oxygen profiles, temperature profiles, hydraulic residence, chemical and biological oxygen demands, management objectives, and internal nutrient cycling.
Some of the common aeration systems we recommend are:
- Diffused Air Aeration
- Circulators
- Fountains
- De-Icers
Once our biologists design your custom system, our technical team will assemble and install it. We maintain and repair all systems that we recommend and sell.
To learn more about how aeration works, and what it can do for you, or to have someone check out your Wisconsin area pond or lake for aeration recommendations, contact us today!
