Benefits of Lake Fountains – Lakes and ponds no doubt make beautiful and valuable additions to any home. But apart from these reasons, lakes and ponds are also beneficial to the local ecosystem as they help support and nurture wildlife. Lakes and ponds also serve host to recreational opportunities like fishing and remote-controlled boat racing, while offering a pleasant ambiance for relaxation.
However, a lake or a pond may soon turn into a nuisance if it’s not properly aerated. Problems like sediment accumulation and proliferation of invasive plant species can arise from lack of oxygen. Luckily, there is a practical solution to address these concerns: a lake fountain.
A water feature like a lake fountain is not only a joy to look at and pleasing to hear, it also helps improve the overall water quality of your lake or pond. Note, however, that there’s a difference between lake and pond fountains and aerators. The latter is a device that’s intended only for aeration and may not be as pleasing to see or hear, while the former may serve primarily aesthetic purposes. As such, you want to get the best of both worlds: a lake fountain that produces a beautiful spray of water and at the same time is capable of pumping large volumes of water in order to aerate the lake and keep it healthy.
Once you install the fountain, you’ll immediately see the benefits, including the following:
A lake or pond that’s not properly aerated is prone to stratification, a phenomena that occurs when layers of water form at different depths due to the varying densities caused by a lack of oxygen. Stratification can make a body of water inhospitable to aquatic organisms and even lead to fish kills. A lake fountain can help disrupt stratification, thus providing a healthier habitat for fish. During winter, a lake fountain also helps prevent ice from forming on your lake or pond, which also causes lower oxygen levels in the water.
Decreased Mosquito Activity
Stagnant water is a prime breeding ground for mosquitos. With a lake fountain, not only will the water be sufficiently aerated, it will also be in constant motion which upsets the environment that mosquitos need to lay and hatch their eggs. With the threat of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Japanese Encephalitis, among others, it really makes sense to install a lake fountain, which is able to address both health and environmental concerns.
Prevents Foul Odors
A lake fountain assists in the process of cycling the water from the bottom of your lake or pond up toward the surface to become oxygenated. This process reduces hydrogen sulfide and other foul-smelling gases that collect at the bottom of lakes and ponds. High oxygen levels also help aerobic bacteria to efficiently break down organic material in the water that will otherwise rot and produce odors.
Controlled Algae Growth
Algae is one of the most common nuisance vegetation that may overpopulate an insufficiently aerated body of water. Duckweed, milfoil, and watermeal may also take over your lake or pond due to excess nutrients that remain unprocessed.
With the help of a lake fountain, there will be enough oxygen to break down nutrients that help unwanted vegetation to thrive. Aeration also drives algae spores toward the bottom of your lake or pond, depriving them of sunlight and thus stopping or slowing down their growth.
Checking the growth of algae, in particular, helps prevent the formation of algal mats and blooms that result in fish kills, among others.
An under-oxygenated lake or pond is prone to sediment build-up. With proper aeration provided by a capable lake fountain, organic matter decomposes much faster, reducing the accumulation of sediment. This not only leads to a more balanced aquatic ecosystem, it also makes it easier for you to maintain your lake or pond, as it prolongs or prevents the need for dredging.
A lake fountain may seem like a frivolous addition to your private lake or pond, but with all its proven practical benefits, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get one.