LAKE BOTTOM BLANKET FAQ’S
Our Lakes and Ponds have a problem. They have a finite lifespan and without human intervention, the life of a healthy lake is about 150 to 200 years. Naturally, sediment from rain and wind carry particulate flow into our lakes slowly filling it in from the outside, while new non-native invasive aquatic plants fill it from within. So what are we supposed to do, being that most of the issues with our lakes are due to the inexperience of the property owners?
The lake is our summer playground, and as more people develop these areas trees, shrubs and other buffers are removed and nice new grass lawns are put in their place. So the problem is without the deeply rooted trees and shrubs there is no filter for all of the runoff from all the new hard surfaces that are built around the lake. No natural filters will cause more sediment and nutrients to end up in the water. Shallow nutrient-rich water sounds like a nice place to grow weeds. “Milfoil” Eurasian Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed, Hydrilla, etc. take over the lakes and make use impossible. What can we do to fix this?
The best time to install our LBB is early in the season, after some weed growth has started (killing newly germinated seeds). Then remove before July and you shouldn’t have any weeds in that area for the rest of the summer.
Be sure to peek under the LBB to assure the weeds are dead before removal.
Like most products that depend on you, if you maintain this product as recommended it can last a minimum of 5 years. We have many clients who have used theirs for several years more than that.
When not in use, roll up the clean and dry LBB and keep it out of the elements in your garage or shed.
The standard Lake Bottom Blanket comes to you un-weighted. We recommend that you purchase locally 3/8″ rebar and install it into the blanket. For most applications, this is enough weight ( approx. 40 lbs. ) to hold the blanket in place. Now if you have motorboat traffic in the area and its less then 5 feet deep you may want to use 1/2″ rebar (which doubles the weight). Also, each section of the Lake Bottom Blanket has small vents to allow decomposition gases to escape. This system also comes with a caution buoy to help identify that there are weed control blankets in the water. But, if big boats are still plowing thru the area you’re covering then this is not the product for you, and actually, there are no benthic mats available that are able to handle high boat traffic of this nature.
Sure, but it is very slippery and if it is in shallow water, we do not recommend it. If the bottom of the area of LBB placement has debris, we also do not recommend it as the fabric may tear.
We do recommend that they are used in a minimum of 3 feet of water if it is intended to be walked on. This product is designed to work best in areas that are of good swimming depth. We also look at it this way, put it in early and take it out 4 weeks later. Then it doesn’t matter if anyone is walking in that area.
Usually, 1 day depending on how many you need.
The best environmental conditions for installation is on a sunny, calm day. The wind can pick up the LBB and make it a giant kite!
It is designed to be installed in late May and removed in late June (4 weeks), in 3 to 10 feet of water, with low to moderate water activity.
It can also be installed in the middle of the season at the height of the weed growth and give you an instant swimming area.
The reason is shipping metal is expensive, especially 10′ long pieces. Originally our product did have 10′ weights integrated with the blanket. However, after talking with many of our customers the shipping upcharge for that seemed crazy. So we redesigned the product and are able to offer it at a much better price. (Even after the cost of rebar)
Benthic barriers have good and bad things associated with them.
The good– a benthic barrier will kill 100% of the weeds they are covering, they are the best way to control weeds exactly where you want, and they don’t use chemicals.
The bad- the use of a benthic barrier can hurt the small microorganisms that live within the benthos layer by depriving them of oxygen, they are difficult to handle due to their weight and size, and they can still float up when gases of decomposition get trapped under them.