Why Aerate?  Aeration - A Common Tool Used by Professional Pond & Lake Managers

Many ponds and lakes contain moderate to high amounts of nutrients (namely, phosphorus and nitrogen). Elevated nutrient levels can adversely impact fish, other aquatic organisms and water quality during the summer months. Too many nutrients in ponds and lakes can result in accelerated rates of eutrophication.

Eutrophication is a process whereby pond and lakes excessive nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth (algae and aquatic plants). Dissolved oxygen concentrations can severely decline when large amounts of algae (algal bloom) and aquatic plants begin to decompose. In turn, very low dissolved oxygen concentrations can cause other aquatic organisms to die. Nutrients can come from many sources, such as fertilizers applied to agricultural fields, golf courses, suburban lawns, soil erosion, streambank erosion and sewage treatment plant discharges. The symptoms of eutrophication are:

Low Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations	Eutrophic Pond Covered in Duckweed & Watermeal
Poor Water Clarity (Transparency)
Algal Blooms (Excessive Amounts of Algae)
Excessive Quantities of Aquatic Plants (Weeds)
High Dissolved Metal Concentrations (Iron & Manganese)
Stress to Fishery and Other Forms of Aquatic Life (Fish Kills)
Shallowness Due to the Accumulation of Sediments
Nutrient Releases via Anoxic In-Lake Sediments
Buildup and Release of Noxious Odors

Professional pond and lake manager have a number of scientifically proven tools to properly manage eutrophic water bodies. One of the most common tools in their toolbox is aeration. Aeration is the process of adding more air or more specifically, more dissolved oxygen into the water. Aeration is frequently implemented with other lake management restoration practices such as applying algaecides and aquatic herbicides to control nuisance quantities of algae and aquatic plants, respectively.

The two most common methods for aerating ponds and lakes are installing water fountains and diffused-air aeration systems. Of the two, diffused-air aeration systems are much more cost-effective and require far less maintenance. In many instances, water fountains will not completely circulate ponds and lakes if their water depths exceed five feet. In addition water fountains are prone to clog if substantial amounts of filamentous algae are present. 

Many pond and lake owners find water fountains very attractive as a water feature. For these individuals, Hydro Logic recommends installing both water fountains and diffused-air aeration systems. This is especially true when highly eutrophic pond or lake conditions exist. Overall, the water fountains will primarily serve as attractive water features, while the diffused-air aeration systems will be responsible for providing the bulk of the water mixing and aeration.

Diffused-air aeration systems like the Hydro Logic AirLift and AirLift XL series can significantly improve water quality and ecological health of ponds and lakes. Increased dissolved oxygen concentrations allow for decreased amounts of available nutrients throughout the water body. This translates into lower amounts of algae resulting in improved water clarity. Aeration also allows for less noxious, poisonous gases (methane and hydrogen sulfide) to be generated. The end result is healthier ponds and lakes for fish and all forms of aquatic life.