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Problems with fish populations often stem from water quality issues.  Even if a lake's water quality doesn't decline to lethal levels, chronic stress from poor water quality can adversely affect fish growth and reproduction.  Poor water quality may also affect other organisms that make up the lake's food web.  PFS uses the latest technology to accurately measure water quality parameters that are important for sustaining healthy fish populations.  Solutions to water quality problems are often as simple as installing an aerator or adding lime. 

PFS has a specially-built barge that uses a large water pump to spread bulk lime quickly and evenly.

Simply applying ag lime often clears up muddy water when the alkalinity level is low.  If the alkalinity and hardness levels are acceptable and suspended clay particles still won't settle, alum (aluminum sulfate) can usually be applied to help clear the water.  Because alum can cause a sudden decline in pH, extreme care must be taken prevent stressing or killing fish.  

Alum can also be used to tie up excess phosphorus that would otherwise be available to nuisance algae and other plants.  In some situations, a better method is the application of Phoslock^® (lanthanum-modified clay), which makes phosphorus permanently unavailable for algae production without the risks to aquatic life that alum presents.  The amount of phosphorus removed by Phoslock^® is predictable and can be tailored to the management objectives of a particular water body.

Although ag lime will increase both alkalinity and hardness, some lakes have an adequate alkalinity level but a low hardness level.  This imbalance can cause stressful increases in pH and murky water.  In these instances, gypsum (calcium sulfate) can be applied to increase the hardness level, reduce and stabilize the pH, and clear the water.