Sandpit Lake Management

Katie Pekarek, Nebraska ExtensionMike Archer, NE Dept. of Environmental QualityBrad Eifert, Nebraska Game and ParksAlison Zach, Nebraska Invasive Species Program

What are your lake’s characteristics?

A Blue Jewel

Catchment Basin with Development Site

Sub-watershed

Watershed

River basin (or sub-basin)

Water Movement Hydrologic Cycle

Unique Systems

Water BudgetGroundwater

Inflow

Stream InflowStream Outflow

Transpiration

Evaporation

Groundwater OutflowSurface

Runoff

Precipitation++

++

+=

+

Pond Ecology

Zones of a Typical Pond

Habitat and the Food Web

Lake Types Seepage Groundwater Drainage/Spring Lakes Drainage Impoundments Oxbow Sandpit

Sandpit Lakes Manmade Water Source

Predominantly Groundwater

Minimal Runoff Nearby rivers or

streams

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

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

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

o Manmadeo Created by damming

a streamo Water Source

o Streamso Groundwatero Precipitationo Runoff

o Has Stream Outlethttp://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types

Impoundment

Oxbow Lake

Intended UseBoating

Fishing

Aesthetics

Swimming

Origin of Lakes

So you have a question???

What are your lake’s characteristics?

Water Sources Water Budget/ Water Cycle? Pond Ecology (plants, fish, sediment…)? Lake Measurements? Intended Use?

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

Lake Depth Deep Lakes

Stratification

Shallow Lakes Continuous

Cycling

Lake Oxygen - Summer

Lake Turnover

Lake Oxygen Winter

Common Pond Problems

SANDPIT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Components of Fisheries Management

Fish Habitat

People

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

What’s In Your Lake?Angling reportsVisual

observationSampling with

gear Private consultants NGPC

Fish Stocking – New Lake Choose game fish species that naturally

reproduce / recruit in small lakes Eliminates need for annual stocking

Recommended stocking combination Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie

Fish Stocking – New LakeAnother option

Smallmouth bass – Primary predator Redear sunfish or rock bass – panfish species

Channel Catfish Typically do not reproduce successfully in

sandpits Stock 10 inch catfish in sandpits with established

bass populations Stock 30 to 50 fish per acre Stock every two to three years

Other Species

Walleye Wipers Northern Pike Yellow Perch Rainbow Trout Grass Carp

Problematic Fish Species Common Carp Gizzard Shad Carpsucker / Buffalo Bullheads Green Sunfish White Perch Asian Carp (Silver, Bighead, Grass)

Managing Unwanted Species Prevention Predator stockings

Largemouth bass, northern pike, wipers, walleye

Removal Angling, archery, seining,

shocking Chemical renovation

(rotenone)

Sandpit Construction Most sandpits are mined for the sand and gravel

Very deep (greater than 20 feet) Steep sides and sandy shorelines and substrate Sterile environment Typically not fish friendly

Sandpit ConstructionIn a perfect situation….. Lake would have variable depths

25% of basin would be approximately 15 - 20 feet 25% of basin would be less than 6 feet 50% of lake would be 8 to 12 feet

Lake would have irregular shorelines Bank sloping would vary from 3:1 to 6:1 Protected from flooding

Intensive Fish Management

Fish Feeders Aeration Habitat improvement Single species lakes Hybrid / Triploid stocking

Wipers, green sunfish x bluegill, crappie

Aeration Water circulation systems (destratify - oxygenate) Keep diffuser up off the bottom (pedestal or

suspend) Start early spring – avoid winter / waterfowl Do not start up late spring or summer – fish kill likely

Sandpit Habitat Enhancements Submerged Structure

Provides substrate for fish food (invertebrates), fish cover/spawning areas, and concentrates fish for improved fishing success

Brush, rock, PVC, etc Placement depth

Fishing Powerboating and swimming hazards

404 Permit Coordination Army Corps of Engineers 402-896-0723

Management Strategies No Harvest Restrictions

Balanced Population Manage for a variety of

fish sizes

Large bass option

Large panfish option

RegulationsLength limitsBag limitsSeasonsPrivate water

Technical Assistance Contact your area NGPC

Fisheries Biologist or Private Waters Specialist (Jeff Blaser 402-471-5435)

UNL Extension Agents Nebraska Department

Environmental Quality Private Consulting Firms Internet Sources

PondBoss.com

Questions

Water Quality Standards

Water Quality• Water Clarity• Bacteria• Contaminants• Algae• Fish Kills

Water Quality• Water Clarity

Excessive phytoplankton Decomposing organic

matter Rough fish

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

Contaminants• Pesticides

• Atrazine• Acetochlor• Metolachlor

• Nutrients • Nitrogen• Phosphorus

• Metals• Lead• Mercury• Calcium• Magnesium• Aluminum• Arsenic• Copper• Iron• Numerous others

ContaminantsMetals• Lead

• Lead shot• Fishing weights• Industrial waste• Naturally occurring

• 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

• 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

ContaminantsNutrients

Aquatic Vegetation

Aquatic Vegetation Important Component of Aquatic EnvironmentProvides food, nesting, nursery, coverOxygenates water Stabilizes shoreline and bottom sediment

Can be a problem (over 50% pond surface affected)Fishing becomes difficultUpsets balance between bass and bluegillExcessive plant die-off's affect dissolved oxygenEnd of growing seasonCloudy weather/muddy water decreases sunlight Decomposition depletes oxygen – fish kills

www.aquaplant.tamu.edu

Floating Emergent Submerged Algae Page 62 of

Pond Guide

www.illinoiswildflowers.info

Aquatic Vegetation

www.lakerestoration.com

Aquatic VegetationFloating

en.wikipedia.com

Watermeal

Duckweedwww.lakerestoration.com

Aquatic VegetationEmergent

Cattail

ArrowheadApi.ning.com

BulrushAquaplants.tamu.edu

Aquatic VegetationSubmerged

Illinoiswildflowers.info

Coontail American Pondweed

Aquaplants.tamu.edu

Water LilyAquaplant.tamu.edu

Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious

Purple LoosestrifeMarbleheadconservancy.org Curly-leaf Pondweed

Neinvasives.comEurasian Watermilfoil

Neinvasives.com

Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious• State Noxious Weeds

• Saltcedar• Phragmites• Purple Loosestrife

• Invasive in Nebraska –• Status Unknown• Parrot Feather• Hydrilla• Water Hyacinth

Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Preventive MeasuresAdequate water depthSlope at waterline 2:1 to 3:1Land use practices, buffer strips, restrict livestock access/wasteReduces excessive nutrients in water and sediment Use fertilizers with no or low phosphorus Control MeasuresPhysical or mechanical removal

Discard plants away from pond (also fragments) Removal reduces associated nutrients

Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Chemical ControlSpot treatment (shoreline areas, create fishing/boating lanes)If large area, only do 1/3 to 1/4, wait 2 weeks Many are restricted use – certification requiredRead and follow directions on label, treat before excessive Biological Control (grass carp)Not a cure all – prefer certain plants, inefficient, long livedLimited control of algae, duckweed, coontail, pond lily, milfoilOverstocked, eliminate beneficial plants, algae blooms result

Aquatic Vegetation Algae

• Algae• Filamentous• Planktonic

• Blue-Green Algae

Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Elevated Nutrients

• Eutrophication• Extensive macrophytic growth• Algal blooms• Blue Green Algae

• Toxin producing• Microcystins• Anatoxin-a• BMAA• DABA

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

AlgaeAquatic 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• Inspect septic system

Aquatic Vegetation Algae

PreventionBiological Controls  (Bio-manipulation) Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTW)Riparian VegetationPhysical Controls AerationMechanical CirculationHypolimnetic OxygenationChemical ControlsAlum, ferric salts, clay (Coagulation and Flocculation)Barley Straw

Aquatic Vegetation Algae Control

 Physical Controls Aeration Hydrologic manipulations Mechanical mixing (circulation) Reservoir drawdown/dessication Surface skimming Ultrasound Chemical Controls Algaecides Barley straw Coagulation FlocculationHypolimnetic oxygenation Biological Controls (Biomanipulation)Floating artificial wetlandsIncreasing grazing pressureIncreasing resource competition

Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Aquatic Herbicides

• Use sparingly!! • Treat 1/4 to 1/3 of the problem at a time• Copper Sulfate

• Chelated – Cutrine- Plus

• Alum

• Lake Sediment Dredging

Nuisance Animals

Questions

Aquatic Invasive Species

Allison Zach

Nebraska’s Most Unwanted Aquatic Invasive Species

Rock Snot: Freshwater algae that attaches to stable underwater surfaces and can form large ‘blooms’

Asian Carp: Silver, Big Head, Black and Grass-compete with native & game fishes

White Perch: Outcompete native fishes for food

Chinese Mysterysnail: Compete with native mollusk and fish species. Clog intake pipes

Zebra & Quagga Mussels: Filter feed large amounts of plankton. Clog intake & outtake pipes.

Rusty Crayfish: Eats and damages stands of aquatic plants reducing food and habitat for invertebrates and fish.

Zebra & Quagga Mussels

BiologyBiology• Freshwater bivalve mollusksFreshwater bivalve mollusks• Highly variable color patternsHighly variable color patterns• Triangular (Zebra) Triangular (Zebra) • Rounded (Quagga)Rounded (Quagga)• Live 4 – 5 yearsLive 4 – 5 years• Settled adults and juveniles can Settled adults and juveniles can

survive up to survive up to 30 days out of 30 days out of waterwater

• Veligers will remain viable for Veligers will remain viable for up to up to 27 days in standing water. 27 days in standing water.

Zebra musselsZebra mussels

Quagga MusselsQuagga Mussels

Zebra and Quagga Mussels

Zebra and Quagga MusselsBiologyBiology• Extremely ProlificExtremely Prolific

• Reproduce exponentially - can spawn year round if Reproduce exponentially - can spawn year round if conditions are favorable. conditions are favorable.

• A A single female mussel can produce up to single female mussel can produce up to 1 mil eggs/yr!1 mil eggs/yr!

• Byssal ThreadsByssal Threads• Attach to hard and semi-soft substrateAttach to hard and semi-soft substrate• Clog infrastructure and water distributionClog infrastructure and water distribution• Smother benthic organismsSmother benthic organisms• Foul watercraft equipmentFoul watercraft equipment

Zebra and Quagga MusselsBiologyBiology• Filter FeedersFilter Feeders• 1 adult can filter up to 1 adult can filter up to 1 liter of 1 liter of

water a daywater a day

• Remove plankton from water, Remove plankton from water, base of food chainbase of food chain

• Degrade water quality – taste Degrade water quality – taste and odorand odor

Zebra and Quagga MusselsSpread Spread

• Native to EurasiaNative to Eurasia

• First discovered in Great Lakes-1988First discovered in Great Lakes-1988

• West of 100West of 100thth Meridian in 2007 Meridian in 2007

• Spread rapidlySpread rapidly• Downstream in waterDownstream in water• Overland in water Overland in water • Attached to boatsAttached to boats

Zebra & Quagga Mussel Effects

Zebra Mussels are Good at Hiding Veligers up to 30 days

in engine water

Zebra Mussel Veligers (Larvae)

February 2017 Zebra & Quagga Range Map

Lewis & Clark

Lewis & Clark

OffuttOffutt

ZorinskyZorinsky

Cortland, NE Golf Course’s Irrigation Intake

2016 Zebra Mussel 2016 Zebra Mussel Finds on MO River Finds on MO River boat launchesboat launches

The entire length of MO River in Nebraska is considered infested with zebra mussels

Dispose of bait on land, not in the water. Help prevent invasive fish and diseases from being released.

Remove mud, plants, animalsWipe all water from boat

Bone dry for 5 days. Vinegar-soak equipment for 20 mins. 140 power wash decon.

Pull plug to drain live wells & bilge.Use towel to dry compartments

Nebraska’s Invasive Aquatic Plants

Eurasian Watermilfoil Brittle Naiad

Curly-Leaf Pondweed

Property values were reduced by up to 16% from aquatic invasive plant infestations

AIS Watercraft Inspections &

Outreachwill have 7

Techs this year

Allison Zach Phone: (402) 472-3133 Email: Azach3@unl.edu

Visit: Neinvasives.com