Lake Aeration & Circulation

Courtesy of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Holly Hudson of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; contributions by John Van Kampem, Scott Aerator Co.

Oxygen can be added to your pond by using an aerator. Many people are surprised to learn that the majority of oxygenation occurs through the water’s contact with the atmosphere; relatively little oxygen increase occurs through direct diffusion from the bubbles. This aeration technique is sometimes referred to as the air-lift method of circulation, since bottom waters are lifted to the lake surface through the action of the injected air.

The expense of constructing a new lake warrants the need for continued maintenance and upkeep of your investment, while avoiding the cost and potential hazards of excessive chemical use or dredging. One of the easiest and most economical ways of achieving this is to use a fountain or a display aerator. A lack of oxygen in a body of water will provoke fish kills, foul odors, algae growth, and will induce the establishment of stagnant vegetation.

Aerators work exceptionally well in low circulation areas to avoid the undesirable affects of algae build-up Aerators also eliminate the problem of mosquito breeding, inhibit surface and bottom growth and keep your water sparkling clean, while adding spectacular aesthetics!

Artificial Circulation Systems

Lakes get much of their oxygen from the atmosphere through a process called diffusion. Artificial circulation increases a lake’s oxygen by forcefully circulating the water to expose more of it to the atmosphere. Proper choice and design of an artificial circulation system depends on your lake management goals and the lake’s physical characteristics.

The use of an aerating fountain sucks water up and sprays it into the air. When the colder, hypolimnetic water reaches the lake surface, it flows across the surface and eventually sinks, mixing with the warmer epilimnetic water. If the system is adequately powered and enough air is injected, this process continues and the metalimnion (transition zone between the epilimnion and hypolimnion) is broken down.

Destratifiers

Destratification is a type of artificial circulation that completely mixes a stratified lake’s waters from top to bottom and thereby eliminates or prevents summer stratification (the division of a lake into water layers of different temperatures). Two techniques are most common: air injection and mechanical mixing.

Aeration can be both healthy and decorative for any lake. Landscape contractors have found many ways in using aerators to product aesthetically pleasing water features. These can include an array off sights, sounds, patterns and lights. The opportunities seem limitless. Just find an aerator that can accommodate the size of the lake, while maintaining the delicate ecosystem of its marine biology.

Other Systems

Other mechanical circulation systems include surface spray units, impeller-aspirators and pump-and-cascade systems.