Lake Management - aerating lakes

One of the critical aspects of lake management is to ensure that the lake has a proper amount of oxygenation. Oxygen is vital in promoting the healthy growth of beneficial organisms and to retard the growth of detrimental organisms. Oxygenation promotes the growth of aerobic bacteria, which clean up the bottom of the lake by eating the sludge which forms at the bottom of most lakes. Optimal oxygen levels also promote the growth of larger lake inhabitants like fish and arthropods. Many harmful organisms, such as anaerobic bacteria and harmful algae thrive in an oxygen depleted environment and overgrowth of these organisms can cause the lake to become overgrown and become foul smelling.

The best and easiest way to increase oxygenation in a lake is through an aeration mechanism. The simplest, yet a very effective way to aerate a lake is to provide a stream of air bubbles to flow through the lake water. Any simple compressor that provides airflow through an air hose will deliver a large amount of aeration to your lake. Installing a fountain or waterfall feature will also increase the oxygen content of the water in the lake, while providing visual and auditory stimuli for the public to enjoy.