Aquatic Vegetation Management

Aquatic plants play an important role and are very beneficial aquatic ecosystems, they provide food for fish, wildlife habitat, and aquatic invertebrates. Aquatic plants also benefit the surrounding ecosystem by providing filtering rainwater runoff, soil stabilization, nutrient mitigation, and water quality.

Aquatic Plants will grow either total under or above the water line. Typically, they are found in the shallow areas of the lake or pond, commonly referred to as the littoral zone. This zone is shallow enough for the sunlight to penetrate to the sediment and provides the right source for the aquatic plants to establish. There are three type of plant communities or groups: emergent, submerged, and floating. Note the algae also grows in lakes and ponds but isn’t considered an aquatic plant but can also be a food source for some macroinvertebrates and fish.

If aquatic plants become too abundant the fishery will be adversely affected. Studies have shown that largemouth bass and bluegill prefer a diverse plant community that is below 30% of the total surface area of the lake or pond. Aquatic plants can also be come unsightly or choke out access to the lake or pond, such as cattails and bullrushes. Overtime the plant community will go thru stages and can become too excessive creating a water quality is related to low dissolved oxygen. When this happens and usually during hot summer months results in fish kill.

Aquatic vegetation is important part of the ecosystem, has both positive and negative attributes. To properly manage the aquatic plant communities, one must keep in mind the goals for the lake, pond, and fishery.

Contact Twin Oaks Pond for more information on managing your aquatic plants.