Written by oaselaketherapy | June 11, 2025
As a golf course superintendent, community manager or municipality director, you’ve likely heard the complaints: “The pond looks awful again,” “There’s algae all over the place,” or “Why are we spending so much if it keeps coming back?”
If your lake management company is simply showing up every two weeks to spray whatever has popped up, you may not be getting the value—or the results—your community deserves. This reactive approach may temporarily suppress surface issues, but it does little to improve the underlying health of your waterbody. In fact, it often contributes to a cycle of dependency, where the pond looks good for a week or two, then backslides into murky, weedy, or odorous conditions.
The Traditional Cycle: Treat, Wait, Repeat
Many pond contractors follow a predictable rhythm: arrive on-site, apply algaecides or herbicides, and leave until the next scheduled visit. It’s easy, it’s fast—but it’s not fixing the problem.
These treatments only address the symptoms. Algae blooms? Spray. Excessive weeds? Spray. Dissolved oxygen crashes? Hope for the best.
All the while, the true causes—nutrient loading, poor circulation, and organic buildup—continue unchecked.
This can lead to more frequent blooms, fish kills, sedimentation, and eventually, costly dredging or mechanical weed removal.
Ask This: Is My Lake Management Partner Thinking Long-Term?
A proactive lake management company doesn’t just treat symptoms. They diagnose and correct the root causes. Look for companies that offer:
-
Nutrient Remediation: Technologies that reduce phosphorus and nitrogen—the real fuel behind algae and weed problems.
-
Sediment Management: Products that break down organic sludge and prevent sediment buildup without excavation.
-
Oxygenation Support: Tools and treatments that enhance dissolved oxygen levels, improving water quality and fish health.
-
Data-Driven Decisions: Use of water testing, mapping, and biological assessments to tailor solutions, not guess at them.
Mid-Season? You’re Not Out of Options
If spring slipped by without a comprehensive management plan, don’t worry. Mid-summer is still a great time to reset the trajectory of your waterbody.
Step 1: Treat What You Can See
Visible algae and weed growth need immediate control to restore clarity and aesthetics. Targeted algaecides and biological treatments can provide fast relief.
Step 2: Neutralize What’s Fueling the Problem
After surface issues are addressed, it’s critical to bind excess nutrients and break down sediment to prevent the next bloom. Lake therapy products such as SeDox, a phosphorus-binding agent, play a key role in this second step. SeDox works by locking up free reactive phosphorus in the water column and sediment—one of the primary nutrients fueling nuisance algae growth. By applying SeDox after an algae treatment, you help cut off the nutrient supply that would otherwise trigger a rebound bloom. The result is longer-lasting water clarity and more stable conditions heading into late summer. Safe for fish and other aquatic life when used as directed, SeDox offers a fast-acting, cost-effective solution to extend the results of your treatment and move your pond or lake closer to long-term balance.
A Healthier Pond = A Healthier Budget
When your pond is in balance, you don’t have to throw money at emergency treatments or last-minute complaints. You reduce long-term liabilities like dredging, fish kills, or public backlash from an ugly water feature. More importantly, a clean, vibrant pond boosts course and curb appeal and increases property values across the community.
What to Do Next
If your current provider is stuck in the treat-and-repeat cycle, it may be time for a conversation—or a change. Talk to companies that offer integrated lake therapy programs. Look for those who discuss water chemistry, sediment biology, and long-term sustainability, not just application schedules.
Your pond isn’t just a drainage feature. It’s a visual and environmental centerpiece for your golf course or neighborhood. With the right lake management partner, it can also be a success story.
