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2018 Nebraska Pond and Lake Management Workshop
- 1. Pond & Lake Management Katie Pekarek, Nebraska Extension Mike Archer, NE Dept. of Environmental Quality Jeff Blaser, Nebraska Game and Parks
- 2. A Blue Jewel? A Headache? An Ecosystem
- 3. Water Movement Hydrologic Cycle
- 5. Lake Types Seepage Groundwater Drainage/Spring Lakes Drainage Impoundments Oxbow Sandpit
- 6. Sandpit Lakes Manmade Water Source Predominantly Groundwater Minimal Runoff Nearby rivers or streams
- 7. Seepage Lake Natural Lake Water Source Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff No Stream Outlet/Inlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of- lakes/21-lake-types
- 8. Natural Lake Water Source Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types Groundwater Drainage Lake
- 9. Drainage Lake Natural Lake Water Source Streams Groundwater Precipitation Runoff Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types
- 10. o Manmade o Created by damming a stream o Water Source o Streams o Groundwater o Precipitation o Runoff o Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types Impoundment
- 11. Oxbow Lake
- 12. Pond Ecology Zones of a Typical Pond
- 13. Habitat and the Food Web
- 15. Origin of Lakes So you have a question???
- 16. What are your lake’s characteristics? Primary Lake Use Water Sources Water Budget/ Water Cycle? Pond Ecology (plants, fish, sediment…)? Lake Measurements? Intended Use?
- 17. Determine Primary Uses of Lake What are your Goals ? General fishing opportunities Trophy fish Maximize harvest Catch and release Other Lake Uses Powerboating / skiing Hunting Wildlife viewing
- 19. Pond Measurements Careful estimates of pond area and volume are critical measurements for management of aquatic plants and algae. Area Transects GPS units Google Earth Volume – Area X depth = acre feet
- 20. Lake Depth Deep Lakes Stratification Shallow Lakes Continuous Cycling
- 21. Lake Oxygen - Summer
- 22. Lake Turnover
- 26. POND CONSTRUCTION Dugout Excavating a pit in wet area – not in a wetland Embankment Building a dam to impound runoff water Many potential problems avoided with proper considerations Ponds need to have good water quality, habitat, sufficient depths to support aquatic life and prevent excessive growth of aquatic vegetation, and balanced fish populations in order to achieve desired angling goals. Many potential problems can be corrected or even avoided with proper pond design.
- 27. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Size of Watershed Minimum watershed ratio of 20:1 in SE Nebr. 1 surface acre, avg. depth 5’ = 100 acre watershed Avoid large watersheds, high ratios – major flooding issues Minimum 30 acre watershed (LPS NRD) Discuss site feasibility and water budget with NRCS
- 28. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Topography Smallest dam, adequate volume of soil at site or nearby Sufficient slope for adequate deep and shallow water areas Natural draw ideal (narrows at dam site) Sufficient room to build (property line, high enough dam) Other problems (excessive wetness, utilities, zoning, water rights)
- 29. Land Use Quality of fish community = quality of watershed Grassland or pasture the best Limit cropland (install grassed waterways, terraces, buffer strips, sediment/nutrient retention pond) Water Source Compensate for evaporation and seepage Avoid streams and major watersheds Well Calculate the need (about 325,000 gal/ac-ft) POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)
- 30. Soil Type Clay, loams, sandy clay/loams the best – soil profile (NRCS) Some clays stay suspended Dam Impervious, moist soil compacted in layers Cutoff or clay core trench Pond Size 1 to 5 acres ideal POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)
- 31. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Pond Depth and Slopes 25% at least 10 feet 50% at least 8 feet 25% less < 5 feet 3:1 Slope to 5 feet depth with bench areas (p. 39) Adequate depth to prevent excessive aquatic vegetation Fish production based on microscoptic plants & animal growth in upper 5 feet Water > 15 ft deep maybe devoid of oxygen in summer Pond Bottom Design (page 14) Irregular shoreline and depths More habitat (40%) means more fish and fishing opportunities
- 32. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Water Control Structures (page 16) Outlet structure with drawdown best, at least a trickle tube Install anti-seep collars Emergency spillway Livestock watering (page 23)
- 33. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Vegetation Establishment Seed dam, spillway, waterways, other disturbed areas ASAP Establish cover crop on pond basin or allow weeds Aquatic Plants Creates nutrient rich environment, explosion of aquatic organisms (zooplankton and insects) Subsequent decomposition also helps to settle out suspended soil particles Eventually decays and disappears – replenish with water level manipulation
- 34. POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Aquatic Plants Algae, then more desireable plants Narrow band around entire pond Important component (oxygen, erosion control, clarity, cover, etc. Natural and Artificial Habitat (page 39 and handout) Return removed material Add artificial – replenish periodically
- 36. Pond Stocking Pond Stocking Consider: depth, water clarity, food availability, adequate oxygen Recommended Stocking Combination (page 26) Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish – keep it simple Supplemental catfish stockings Other species Stocking Rates Recommendations (page 34) Stocking Policy - Application for Fish - List of Hatcheries (2 handouts) Other sources of fish Is pond ready for stocking: consider depth, water clarity, food availability, and dissolved oxygen
- 37. FISH MANAGEMENT Relative Abundance Abundance of predators and prey (page 48) Bass of various sizes needed to effectively control bluegill Good, Balanced Pond 250 pounds of bluegill per surface acre 50 pounds of largemouth bass per surface acre About 50% between 8 and 12 inches About 50% larger than 12 inches 40 pounds of channel catfish per surface acre
- 38. FISH MANAGEMENT Decide what to manage for: General (balanced), Either Big Bass or Big Bluegill (unbalanced) Manipulate bass numbers (biomass) to achieve desired angling goal Assess fish populations (angling page 52, data sheet page 89) and compare to scenarios Choose management option, PWMA ( page 54) Release 8 to 9 inch blue gill to get 10 inch ones, release 15 to 18 inch bass to get 20 + inch bass If unable to catch fish or need advice, consult NGPC (magazine)
- 39. Permits
- 40. Permits Contact local NRCS Resource Conservationist about: Feasibility of site Construction and/or a water storage permit (>15 acre feet of water) or call Christine Southwick DNR (402-471-1692) Possibility of Threatened or Endangered species or call Eliza Hines USFWS (308-382-6463) Construction cost share, conducting a soil profile and pond fencing cost share
- 41. Permits (cont.) Contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (John Moeschen 402-896-0898) about a 404 permit for: Addition of fish structure Building a pond in a wetland Contact NGPC about: Need of a fishing permit at the site Acquiring a PWMA if decide to remove bass < 15 inches Website access for NPM book and Pond Guide Series
- 42. Nuisance Animals
- 43. Nuisance Animals Beaver Burrowing near lake’s dam can weaken structure Trees and branches can damage and/or plug drainpipes Trapping is the most effective means of controlling beaver populations
- 44. Nuisance Animals Muskrat Tunneling in dam can cause the bank structure to leak and/or fail Wire screen along dam Trapping
- 45. Nuisance Animals
- 46. Water Quality
- 47. Water Quality • Water Clarity • Bacteria • Contaminants • Algae • Fish Kills
- 48. Water Clarity • Sediment • Internal • Bank sloughing • Lack of depth • Rough Fish • External • Runoff carrying sediments
- 49. Water Clarity • Settling Basin – Small detention cell • Depth – Mechanical dredge • Shoreline Erosion • Rip-rap • Vegetation • Seawall • Reconstruct bank slope to (2-1) – (3-1) CONTACT NDEQ AND USACE BEFORE DOING ANY OF THE ABOVE!!
- 50. Bacteria • Escherichia coli (E. coli) • Sources • Waste products of any warm-blooded animal • Septic systems • Waterfowl • Livestock waste runoff • Health Concerns • Gastroenteritis • Dysentery • Hepatitis • Cholera • Typhoid Fever
- 51. Contaminants • Pesticides • Atrazine • Metolachlor • Nutrients • Nitrogen • Phosphorus • Metals • Lead • Mercury • Calcium • Magnesium • Aluminum • Arsenic • Copper • Iron • Numerous others
- 52. Contaminants Metals • Mercury • Coal fired power plants • Health effects (Methylmercury) • Deteriorates central nervous system • Impairs hearing, speech, vision and gate • Bioaccumulation • Aluminum • Common treatment for eutrophic lakes • Possible health concerns with elevated levels of Al. • Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, Alzheimer's • Mobilization of Al due to low pH can become toxic to fish
- 53. • Nitrogen • Sources • Rain • Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands • Fertilizer • Animal Waste • Waterfowl • Septic Systems and Sewage Treatment Facilities • Illegal Dumping • Ammonia • Phosphorus • Sources • Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands • Fertilizer • Soil Erosion • Detergents • Septic Systems Contaminants Nutrients
- 55. Aquatic Vegetation Important Component of Aquatic Environment Provides food, nesting, nursery, cover Oxygenates water Stabilizes shoreline and bottom sediment Can be a problem (over 50% pond surface affected) Fishing becomes difficult Upsets balance between bass and bluegill Excessive plant die-off's affect dissolved oxygen End of growing season Cloudy weather/muddy water decreases sunlight Decomposition depletes oxygen – fish kills
- 56. www.aquaplant.tamu.edu Floating Emergent Submerged Algae Page 62 of Pond Guide www.illinoiswildflowers.info Aquatic Vegetation www.lakerestoration. com
- 59. Aquatic Vegetation Submerged Illinoiswildflowers.info Coontail American Pondweed Aquaplants.tamu.edu Water Lily Aquaplant.tamu.edu
- 60. Aquatic Vegetation Invasive/Noxious Purple Loosestrife Marbleheadconservancy.org Curly-leaf Pondweed Neinvasives.comEurasianWatermilfoil Neinvasives.com
- 61. Aquatic Vegetation Invasive/Noxious • State Noxious Weeds • Saltcedar • Phragmites • Purple Loosestrife • Invasive in Nebraska Status Unknown • Parrot Feather • Hydrilla • Water Hyacinth
- 62. Aquatic Vegetation (cont.) Preventive Measures Adequate water depth Slope at waterline 2:1 to 3:1 Land use practices, buffer strips, restrict livestock access/waste Reduce excessive nutrients in water and sediment Use fertilizers with no or low phosphorus (lessen algae blooms) Control Measures Physical or mechanical removal Discard plants away from pond (also fragments) Removal reduces associated nutrients
- 63. Aquatic Vegetation (cont.) Chemical Control Spot treatment (shoreline areas, create fishing/boating lanes) If large area, only do 1/3 to 1/4, wait 2 weeks Fish die-off if too much killed (oxygen depletion) Many are restricted use – certification required Read and follow directions on label, treat before excessive Biological Control (grass carp) Not a cure all – prefer certain plants, inefficient, long lived Limited control of algae, duckweed, coontail, pond lily, milfoil Overstocked, eliminate beneficial plants, algae blooms result
- 64. Aquatic Vegetation Algae • Algae • Filamentous • Planktonic • Blue-Green Algae
- 65. Aquatic Vegetation Algae • Elevated Nutrients • Eutrophication • Extensive macrophytic growth • Algal blooms • Blue Green Algae • Toxin producing • Microcystins • Anatoxin-a • BMAA • DABA
- 66. Aquatic Vegetation Algae • Health Effects • Microcystin • Humans • Liver Damage • Skin irritant • Pets and Livestock • Ingestion is likely fatal • BMAA & DABA • Suspected Effects • ALS • Parkinson's Disease • Alzheimer’s Disease • Nervous System • Anatoxin – a • Suspected Effects • Nervous System
- 67. Algae Aquatic Vegetation Algae • Prevention • Reduce the amount of nutrients entering the lake • No phosphorus fertilizer • Eliminate waterfowl • Harass do not harm • Check with USFWS, UNL extension, NGPC • Eliminate livestock access and any associated runoff - Pick up pet waste • Construct berms and natural grass barriers • Wetland - treatment at inlet to the lake • Inspect septic system • Aeration • Can reduce phosphorus released from bottom sediments • Helps green algae outcompete Blue Green Algae
- 68. Aquatic Vegetation Algae • Aquatic Herbicides • Use sparingly!! • Treat 1/4 to 1/3 of the problem at a time • Restricted Use Herbicide application needs to be conducted by a licensed applicator. • Alum Treatment • Application of Alum will violate Nebraska Water Quality Standards. • All Alum applications require a variance before application. • Contact NDEQ very early on in the process. • Lake Sediment Dredging
- 69. Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Plan • Do you need to have a monitoring plan? • Full body contact recreation • Fish Kills • Excessive Algal Growth • Pets, livestock, etc. using the pond • Katie Pekarek (402) 560-3110 • Jeff Blaser (402) 471-5435 • Mike Archer (402) 471-4224
- 70. Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Plan• Monitor monthly • Water Temp. • Dissolved Oxygen • pH • Water Clarity • Chlorophyll a • Total Phosphorus • Dissolved Ortho P • Total Nitrogen • TKN • N/N • Ammonia • Sample when concern arises • Microcystin • E.coli
- 71. Questions
Editor's Notes
- Hi folks, my name is Katie Pekarek, Lakes are blue jewels that add diversity to the landscape. Lakes can provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and for these reasons, shoreline lots are prized as home sites. But lakes are also fragile. Increasing use of a lake and its shorelines can strain the ecosystem. The major problems include algae blooms, nuisance weeds, siltation, winterkill of fish, loss of attractive wooded shorelines, and conflicts among lake users. To avoid or reduce these problems, lakes and their watersheds must be managed and that is why you are all here today. Before we dive in, I would like to introduce you to my two very knowledgable colleagues. In fact, if you have any hard questions, we can direct them to these two! We have Mike Archer with the Nebrask Department of Environmental Quality and Jeff Blaser, with the Nebraska Game and Parks. Both of these gentleman have a background relating to biology and lake ecology.
- A lake ecosystem is a community of interacting animals, plants and microorganisms and the physical and chemical environment in which they live. A complex interdependence has evolved among the organisms that comprise the lake community. It is not possible to disturb one part of the ecosystem without affecting other parts. A road, a housing development, a drainage project, a forest fire, acid rain or another change in the watershed can alter the delicate balance of the lake ecosystem.
- about three-fourths of the precipitation that falls reenters the atmosphere by transpiration from plants and evaporation from the earthís surface. In flat or sandy areas, most of the remaining water enters the groundwater and moves underground toward lakes and rivers. Many lakes are intersections of water table and land surface Water that runs off the surface also enters rivers and lakes. Spring-fed lakes are fed primarily by groundwater and drainage lakes are fed primarily by surface runoff Lake levels vary from season to season and yearto year. Precipitation is the principal cause of lake-level fluctuation. If rainfall decreases, the lake levels fall. If rainfall increases, lake levels eventually rise. However, the lag between precipitation and lake-level change varies from days to years depending on the lake. Dams can be used to modify some of these fluctuations, but varying lake levels are a normal characteristic of the natural system
- Lake managers measure inflow and outflow to determine a lake’s water budget. As shown in the formula, a water budget consists of many elements.
- Lakes can be classified in a number of ways. They may be classified by how they were formed, such as by a glacier retreating, volcanic erruption, or man made lakes. They may also be classified by how often the water turns over. But we are going to talk about lakes today by where their source of water comes from. Water can enter lakes from a variety of sources including groundwater, runoff from the watershed, surface waters (like streams and rivers) flowing into the lake, and direct precipitation into the lake. Water leaves lakes through groundwater or surface water flow and evaporation.Lakes can be classified into five main lake types based on how water enters and exits the lake. For some lakes, all or most of their water enters the lake through one source (such as groundwater), other lakes may receive water through several sources. The source of a lake’s water supply is very important in determining its water quality and in choosing management practices to protect that quality. If precipitation is the major water source, the lake
- One of the most common types of lakes in Nebraska is a sandpit lake. These lakes are created as a result of the mining of sand and gravel for use in other projects. When the sand and gravel is mined below the water table of the groundwater, it creates a sandpit lake. The water for these lakes is mainly groundwater. There is very little watershed runoff, except during a flood event and even then it is usually just immediate shoreline area with a limited amount of surrounding land. Nearby rivers or streams also influence the water level, even when not flooded. This is because the connection between the river and groundwater level is strong, thus making the connection with the lake strong as well.
- These lakes do not have an inlet or an outlet, and only occasionally overflow. As landlocked water bodies, the principal source of water is precipitation or runoff, potentially supplemented by groundwater from the immediate drainage area. Since seepage lakes commonly reflect groundwater levels and rainfall patterns, water levels may fluctuate seasonally.
- These lakes have no inlet, but do have an outlet. The primary source of water for spring lakes is groundwater flowing into the bottom of the lake from inside and outside the immediate surface drainage area. Spring lakes are the headwaters of many streams and are a fairly common type of lake in northern Wisconsin.
- These lakes have no inlet, but like spring lakes, have a continuously flowing outlet. Drained lakes are not groundwater-fed. Their primary source of water is from precipitation and direct drainage from the surrounding land.Frequently, the water levels in drained lakes will fluctuate depending on the supply of water. Under severe conditions, the outlets from drained lakes may become intermittent. Drained lakes are the least common lake type found in Wisconsin.
- Rooted plants are a normal and essential part of a healthy ecosystem. They are limited by hosphorus and the depth to which the sunlight can penetrate the water. If more phosphorus is added, or if sedimentation makes the lake shallower, these plants can spread and become a nuisance to recreation and to the winter survival of the fish when the rotting plants use oxygen
- The food web begins with green plants. With the help of sunlight and chlorophyll (as a catalyst), plants convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen gas. We all know this as photosynthesis. The food web transfers these ingredients and energy from organism to organism. Plants are eaten by animals and animals are eaten by each other. The oxygen produced during photosynthesis is vital to animals for breathing. Oxygen is also needed by bacteria and fungi that decay plant and animal matter. Decomposition is a needed phase in the cycle of life. Through decomposition, nutrients are recycled for continued plant growth. Among plants, the controlling factor is usually phosphorusóa plant nutrient. The available phosphorus may be used by microscopic plants (algae). Addition of more phosphorus from sewage treatment plants, urban and farmland runoff and septic tanks is likely to increase the intensity of algae blooms and n balance the food web
- Before you can implement a management strategy for your water body, you need to determine where you want to end up. It is important to determine management goals and objectives. You also need to consider the other uses that might be occurring on that waterbody and how it might impact your management strategies. If you are the sole owner of a lake, it might be an easy decision to determine goals for your lake, but if there are multiple owners or homeowners using that lake, the process can become much more difficult. This is when it is extremely important to consider the human component when managing the lake.
- During the summer, water in a shallow lake is kept thoroughly mixed by the wind, unless the lake is small and protected from the wind. Water in deep lakes stratifies into thermal layers. Cool water is heavy and stays in the lake bottom in a layer called the hypolimnion. The warm water stays on top in the epilimnion. A narrow band of transition from cold to warm water is called the thermocline. During summer months, little mixing occurs between layers. Water in the epilimnion is in contact with the air, and has plenty of oxygen. However, if plant matter or sewage is decaying on the lake bottom, the oxygen in the hypolimnion may be depleted. Fish that require cool water with high oxygen levels can no longer survive.
- During the spring and fall the temperature between the layers of water disappear. These turnover periods allow the entire lake to be reoxygenated and fish may inhabit the deeper waters.
- Oxygen gas is a common substance dissolved in lake water. It is absorbed from the atmosphere and is produced by aquatic plants. It is essential for an living creatures and plants to have access to oxygen. However, in winter the oxygen in the atmosphere is sealed off from the lake by ice, and a snow blanket on the ice may prevent sunlight from reaching the plants. Without light, the plants die. Then instead of the plants producing oxygen, their decomposition consumes oxygen. The combination of these two factors often causes winterkill in shallow lakes which are not replenished by inflowing water.