Technical & Consulting Services
PLM offers a wide range of technical services that can help guide and achieve your lake management goals. Our highly trained staff and state-of-the art equipment allows us to provide comprehensive and accurate data to evaluate current conditions, implement an appropriate management strategy, and evaluate the effectiveness of the management program.
Aquatic Vegetation Assessment & Mapping
An Aquatic Vegetation Assessment Survey (AVAS) divides the area of the lake capable of growing aquatic plants into subareas. Within each subarea, aquatic plant species presence and density is recorded. This process allows for the documentation of aquatic plant species richness and distribution throughout the waterbody. Vegetation data can be tracked throughout a growing season and from year to year to determine trends in the aquatic plant community and the need and/or effectiveness of the management program.
Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality monitoring is a critical part of lake management. Water quality monitoring provides an ongoing record of conditions in a waterbody. Changes in water quality can indicate threats from sources such as agricultural and lawn runoff, burgeoning development and erosion from construction sites. Prompt identification of threats to water quality makes it possible to remedy them before irreversible harm has been done. Riparian’s enjoyment of the water resource and the value of their property depend on maintaining water quality.
Our standard water Quality Program includes
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1) Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measure the total concentration of dissolved salts in the water from a variety of factors included but no limited to local run off from both surface & ground water penetration.
2) Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Profiles.
3) Secchi Disk Depth- The Secchi disk depth is a measure of water clarity
4) Evaluation of Trophic Status using Carlson’s Trophic State Index (TSI)
5) Total Phosphorus- Total Phosphorus measures the total amount of phosphorus in the water. Phosphorus is an important plant nutrient (i.e., fertilizer) and the nutrient most likely to limit algal growth. Elevated phosphorus inputs to lakes caused by human activities are a major cause of cultural eutrophication.
6) Nitrates – Nitrates measure the total amount of inorganic nitrogen in the water. Nitrogen is an important plant nutrient (i.e., fertilizer) and the nutrient most likely to limit the growth of rooted plants.
Additional Water Quality Parameters can be added per request.