March 25, 2019

One of the many beautiful parts of a course it it’s ponds and wildlife. Even though golfers hate loosing their ball in the water, it is still an important part of a course. Many use ponds as a water source for their irrigation systems, but regardless they are an important feature of any course.

There are many benefits to maintaining a clean pond or lake. The smells, algae, failing wildlife and green color can be a thing of the past. One way to manage your pond health is by using aerators. Aerating a body of water serves to clean, improve environment, grow healthier turf and is visually appealing.

Sub-surface aeration and mixers are one category of aeration devices.

Why Aeration, Not Chemical?

Excess nutrients and lack of oxygen cause a build up in algae and weeds. Chemicals such as algaecides and herbicides are used to clean ponds. Although these chemicals may be effective in cleaning a pond after an infestation, they do not fix the underlying issue. Several preventable issues that occur due to lack of aeration are pond turnover, algae, and muck.

Without proper aeration, most ponds will physically turn over once or twice a year. Ponds separate into different layers over time. The cold, oxygen depleted water is at the bottom and warmer, oxygen rich water is at the top. As the seasons change, the water will turnover. This causes fish to die due to lack of oxygen near the surface of the water.

Due to lack of oxygen and a build up of nutrients, pond algae can thrive in a pond. Algaecides kill algae that is already present, but is not preventative or long term. Pond aeration oxygenates the water, breaking up nutrients.

With lack of oxygen, the decomposition process that breaks down materials in the water cannot occur. Without decomposition, the bottom of the pond begins to build up a black layer of muck that releases excess nutrients into the water further feeding algae and other weed problems.

Aeration of a pond is not only preventative, but also effective in combatting a problem. Although chemicals have some use in reducing issues such as algae, they do not cure the problem. The benefits of installing a surface aeration device or fountain are endless.

For more questions about maintaining your course contact your Wolf Creek rep.