Photo Credit: Solitude Lake Management
Most people have heard the adage that no two snowflakes are the same, but did you know this truth also applies to bodies of water? No two lakes or ponds are the same—and location, the size, water use, aquatic vegetation coverage and type, pond nutrient levels, and water depth are all factors that can combine in unique ways to influence the health of a community waterbody. Oftentimes, odor and water color can reveal a lot; however, the unique characteristics of a lake or pond are not always this simple to observe.
A professional lake manager tests water quality to determine the unique attributes that make up a waterbody and uses the data to create a totally customized lake- or pond-management plan. Many different and important parameters can be tested, but the basic values are pH, alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and nutrient levels.
Water pH
Water pH is a numeric scale that indicates how acidic or basic a waterbody is. This scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. If a lake or pond’s pH fluctuates too high or low on the scale, it may lead to nuisance vegetation or algae growth and unhealthy fish, resulting in costly and time-consuming expenditures to bring balance back to the ecosystem. Throughout the day, many factors can cause water pH to fluctuate, such as natural photosynthesis and respiration from both plants and algae. pH can vary during different weather events and seasons as well. Regular water-quality testing can help aquatic resource-management professionals determine if a waterbody has a balanced pH, identify trends that affect water acidity over time, and define an effective solution. Many lakes and ponds greatly benefit from seasonal lime applications, which help maintain the chemical balance of the waterbody.