Water

In Florida, low water is typically caused by either dry weather or management activity. Many of our lakes are connected either underground or by canals to larger water bodies. Drought or draw-down can cause lake levels to decline seemingly overnight.

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Microscopic planktonic (floating) algae can grow in various levels in the water, making the water itself appear green.

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Where do all of the runoff and dead algae and plants go when they are no longer visible in the water? They fall to the bottom of the lake and become sediment. Sediments that are made up of mostly dead organic material are called muck, which has a thick sticky texture, and often has an unpleasant rotten-egg sulfur smell. Because muck is organic, it can contribute nutrients back to the water, causing algal bloom, clarity, and odor problems in the lake.

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If there is green stuff taking over your lake, you probably have an algae or plant problem. Both types of organisms can form dense green mats that float on top of the water. Some tiny floating plants, like duckweed or watermeal, look like algae scums at first glance. In addition to surface growth, algal blooms can turn the whole water column green. These types of problems suggest a nutrient problem, usually an over abundance of phosphorus, that allow the plant material to grow out of control.

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A healthy lake should not smell bad, but there are many reasons why a lake might periodically smell unpleasant. Stagnant, poorly oxygenated water contains bacteria that create hydrogen sulfide gas, which gives the water a rotten-egg smell. Often that poorly oxygenated water is hidden several feet under the surface, and the water. smells fine. Windy cooler weather can cause a lake to mix, which brings the bad water to the surface where we can suddenly smell it. Read more »

Ponds can have a variety of floating scums. Sometimes floating algae and plants are referred to as scum. Oil and gas scums create a rainbow sheen on top of the water. Foamy or bubbly scums can be a sign of soap pollution in the water. Sometimes a lake management technician might take a water or scum sample for later analysis and/or identification.

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Maybe… Clumps of material floating on top of the water or lying at the bottom can be a number of things, including algae, plants, or runoff debris such as grass clippings. A lake management professional can usually identify the cause of any unsightly ‘clumps’ in the water.

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