Whether you are dealing with a man-made lake on your property, or you want to better the environment around you, there are ways to clean your lake that do not involve chemical intervention. You can rid the lake of harmful and unsightly algae, as well as other issues you may be dealing with. This can not only help the aesthetic of your lake, but also make it safer to swim in, or have animals drink from.

How to Clean a Lake Naturally

To start the journey to making your lake clean, there are several steps you can take. It is going to be a mix of several things that gives you the best, long term results, rather than just choosing just one option. 

Remove Waste from The River and The Area Around It

The best place to start when it comes to cleaning up your lake is to remove the trash that might be in it. This includes plastics, containers, and anything else that does not naturally occur in the lake. 

You should also look for any drainage spouts and sewer openings that may be depositing waste into the lake. If there are, you will need to look into contacting property owners or government officials to try to get it removed and redirected.

Try to Use Fertilizers and Pesticides as Sparingly as Possible

As most people know, pesticides and chemicals in fertilizers are harmful to the environment. You should try to avoid them all together, and look for more natural alternatives. But if you must use them, try to use them as sparingly as possible. 

This is because the rain will help wash it away into the lake, poisoning the animals living in it. It also greatly increases the risk of algae growing.

Don’t Let Your Pets Go to The Bathroom Around the Lake 

If you have pets, it is best to keep them away from the lake when they do their business. The feces is similar to fertilizers when it comes to high nutrient levels and their impact on the lake. 

While it’s a natural material, it can cause issues because of the components. Keep animals away from the lake and always pick up after them to make sure the feces never makes it into the local water systems.

Try Using Less Salt in Winter

Another material you should use less of to help your local lakes is salt. This is commonly used in the winter to help with ice control, but can wreak havoc on the environment. We know that there are not a ton of options available depending on where you live to fend off the ice and make conditions safer. But when possible, try to use the salt sparingly and look for alternatives that are more eco-friendly.

Use Biodegradable Soaps When Cleaning Outside

Whether it is your car, your patio, or yourself, when cleaning outside, you should be very careful of what soaps you are using. Look for biodegradable soaps to allow for the least amount of damage to the environment. 

Other soaps will not fully break down, making it harmful to the environment. If you cannot use biodegradable soap, you should try to wash in an area that will not be in the street or on an incline where it may run off into water systems.

Plant Trees

Planting trees strategically can help to protect your lake against runoff. The trees will grow and create a barrier to both help against erosion and to prevent storm runoff. It will take years to fully get the trees to a point where they will really be helpful, so it is important to plant them as soon as possible to get the process started.  

Remove Leaves and Grass Cuttings

Leaves and grass cuttings can help to promote algae growth. It is important to aim away from the lake while cutting grass nearby. You should also pick up and compost the clippings, rather than leaving them on the ground. 

This is because you can end up with the clippings being washed away via rain into storm drains and ending up in bodies of water like lakes. This is especially important if you use any chemicals or pesticides on your lawn like you may for a golf course.

Slow Your Boats

If you use a boat, it is important to control your speed to minimize the size of your waves. Larger waves means more water on land. This can lead to erosion into lakes, ponds and rivers. Keep your speed low if you use a motorized boat, jet ski or other motorized water tool.  

Add Floating Islands

BioHaven has created floating islands that are essentially wetlands. This floating island works full time to filter out unwanted pollutants and nutrients in the water, as well as absorbing waves. These creations take very little time to get started, unlike trees growing, and work on many fronts to protect your lakes. These are ideal for both the lakes that are being taken care of full time, and the lakes that are not given as much care to keep clean. These are definitely a fantastic investment to have in any lake.

Conclusion

You can help keep your lakes and ponds clean without any harmful chemicals. This both helps to make your lake look great, and promotes a healthier ecosystem free of harmful algae and chemicals. Try some or all of the tips given to help better our environment.