LARGE POND & LAKE MANAGEMENT

Maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem in larger ponds, lakes, rivers, leats, and floodplains is vital for both aesthetic appeal and ecological health. Whether your water feature is man-made or naturally occurring, we understand the unique challenges these larger bodies of water present. Our approach is to work in harmony with the natural processes to ensure your pond remains clear, vibrant, and sustainable.

Our repairs & leak detection investigations start from £2,800, get in touch and see how we can help with your large pond or lake.

The Importance of Balance

All bodies of water are unique, and achieving a healthy, balanced ecosystem is no simple task. Unfortunately, many traditional pond construction methods have fallen out of date and are more likely to contribute to long-term issues. For example, in some man-made lakes, soil is often placed over pond liners, thinking it’s the natural solution. However, soil contains nutrients that encourage algae growth and water quality problems, causing excess sedimentation and impacting the entire aquatic ecosystem.

Without intervention, sediment builds up over time, leading to the inevitable and costly process of dredging. In some cases, sediment can even contain toxic pollutants like heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants, increasing disposal costs. But there’s a more sustainable way to manage large bodies of water—by using inert mediums and creating a plan for the long-term health of the ecosystem.

Creating a Long-Term Plan for Your Large Pond or Lake

Managing large water bodies requires a careful and thoughtful approach. We believe in taking the time to develop a plan that works for both your pond’s unique conditions and your budget. Instead of looking for a quick fix, we help you create a phased management plan that can span several years, gently guiding nature to restore its own balance with minimal intervention.

Whether it’s for a large pond, lake, river, or floodplain, we focus on creating solutions that support nature’s processes rather than working against them. Our services may involve enhancing aeration, clearing invasive plants, or installing natural filtration systems—all designed to help your water feature thrive in the long run.

Key Management Approaches

Here are some of the proven methods we use for large pond and lake management:

  • Adding Aeration

    Aeration is one of the most undervalued but crucial aspects of large pond or lake management. Healthy oxygen levels support the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down organic waste, reduce algae blooms, and keep water clear. We provide several aeration options, such as air stones, fountains, or tumbling streams, which improve circulation and oxygenation. Aerating your pond is key to balancing the ecosystem and promoting healthier aquatic life.

  • Vegetation Management & Clearances

    Invasive aquatic plants, such as algae and lilies, often outcompete beneficial species that support native wildlife. We provide vegetation management services, including cutting back, pruning, and weed suppression, to reduce overshading and create spaces where native plants like iris can thrive. By reintroducing the right plants, we restore the pond’s ecosystem and help it support biodiversity.

  • Adding Beneficial Bacteria

    One of the most natural and cost-effective ways to improve water quality is by introducing beneficial bacteria. These microorganisms help break down organic waste, including sediment and debris, which is essential for maintaining a healthy pond ecosystem. This method doesn’t offer immediate results, but over time, it creates a more sustainable balance and improves water clarity. We tailor our bacterial treatments to fit the specific needs of your water feature.

  • Adding Streams to Improve Filtration

    Streams play an important role in natural ecosystems by cleaning and filtering water. Their tumbling flow oxygenates the water, inhibits anaerobic processes (which lead to silt and algae growth), and traps sediment. By incorporating a stream into your large pond or lake, we naturally filter the water and help prevent the buildup of debris that can harm water quality. Streams also provide habitat for wildlife, from fish to beneficial insects.

    In some cases, we can use the sediment trapped in the stream for a more cost-effective cleaning solution, as the sediment can be easily accessed and cleaned out—much less expensive than large-scale dredging operations.

  • Constructed Wetland Filtration

    A constructed wetland filtration system acts as the “kidney” of your pond, naturally cleaning and oxygenating the water. By using various plant species and layers of filtration media, wetlands can remove harmful toxins, chemicals, and excess nutrients from the water. These systems are designed to filter out 96% of nitrites and 97% of phosphates, improving water clarity and quality.

    Wetlands also provide important ecological benefits by creating habitats for pollinators like bees and dragonflies. With easy-to-maintain access vaults, these filtration systems can be cleaned unobtrusively and without the need for expensive interventions.

  • Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solutions

    We understand the long-term costs of maintaining a large water feature, which is why we focus on sustainable, low-maintenance solutions that don’t require constant, expensive interventions. Our approach to managing large ponds and lakes is all about working with nature—we aim to enhance and support the natural processes of your pond, avoiding the need for heavy dredging or chemical treatments.

What Makes Our Ecosystem Ponds Special?

Your Personal Soundtrack

The sound of water flowing over each stone creates a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere, your very own natural orchestra.

Ideal for Fish

Our ecosystem ponds include superior filtration systems and oxygenating waterfalls, supporting koi, goldfish, and other pond-friendly species.

Elevates Your Garden

The added height of the berm and the flowing stream expands the visual impact and creates a dynamic space.

Designed for Nature

Nature thrives in these ponds, attracting wildlife and creating an ever-changing environment to observe and enjoy.

Get in Touch Today

Ready to make your garden a sanctuary for wildlife? Contact Wellies and Waders today to discuss how we can create the perfect ecosystem pond for your outdoor space. Prices vary based on factors like location, ground conditions, and any additional features, so let’s start the conversation and bring your vision to life.

What Our Customers Say

Andre came to quote for a repair to our traditional stone circular pond, which was leaking, he discussed with us an alternative to repairing by installing an Aquascape pond which would be a more natural environment and attract more wildlife.
We discussed the layout as we wanted a fountain going into the pond with rocks and colourful plants. What he has created is a work of art and we are very pleased with it.
He has such an attention to detail placing rocks so the water runs just at the right angle & studying from different areas to ensure it looks good from the house looking down & from anywhere in the garden.
We are excited to see the wildlife & the plants when they mature through the year ahead.
Already after a few weeks we have thousands of tadpoles, the fish are thriving and the plants are starting to spread and bloom, it really does look absolutely beautiful.
Thank you Andre

Andre is a master of his art. We inherited a traditional circular pond, showing lots of black liner (which leaked), surrounded by a concrete circle. Andre discussed with us an alternative to just replacing the liner, which would be a more natural environment and attract more wildlife. We discussed the general idea of stream, pond, rocks and beach area. What he has delivered is over and above anything we imagined. It is stunning and we love it. He has such an eye for detail in placing rocks and plants, studying from every angle to ensure a perfect picture from anywhere in the garden. I cannot wait to enjoy all the seasons with my grandchildren, creating many memories and encouraging their joy of wildlife.

Wellies and Waders have just completed a pond build for us here in the South Hams of Devon. We gave Andre the brief of creating a natural looking, wildlife friendly pond with a small stream to remind us of a Dartmoor stream.
The finished project exceeds our expectations and is infinitely better than the old, preformed pond which it replaced. The pond looks fantastic, the stream is fantastic and he also added a second small waterfall for additional contrast and impact.
Andre is not only a perfectionist with a great attention to detail but throughout the build he was working on the pond as if it was his own garden and he was building it for his own enjoyment. Our garden has been transformed and we and our children are delighted.
Andre is an absolute pleasure to deal with and we could not recommend him highly enough.

André Crawford has done a lovely job of remodelling and cleaning my garden pond. At 98, I do not get out very much and my pond has been a wonderful source of entertainment. It is full of newts which appear in spring and summer and the occasional frog, dragonflies and other insects. It was created by a huge amount of hard work and design flair by André. Thank you so much.

“Well done Andre’ all your hard work has paid off transforming our ponds from over grown and neglected embarrassment to a wonderful water feature and the jewel in our garden! We would highly recommend you above anyone else in the Bay who we have used in the past and had very disappointing results with no interest in after sales care, you have been completely the opposite going that extra mile and offering a great ongoing maintenance service!”

“André is very reliable, extremely hard working and takes pride in his work. His knowledge of ponds is excellent. He did an amazing job transforming our overgrown pond into a beautiful feature.

Our grandchildren loved watching and helping where able as they are young and learnt a great deal about ponds and the wild life that was present in it.

Highly recommend.”

Why Choose Us?

When it comes to large pond management, you want a team with the experience, knowledge, and skills to provide sustainable solutions that work with nature. Our team is committed to Aquascape’s biological methods, ensuring that we focus on creating a balanced ecosystem that’s good for your pond, your wallet, and the environment.

Whether your pond or lake needs aeration, vegetation management, filtration, or something else, we can provide the services you need to keep your water feature healthy, clear, and vibrant for years to come.

A Simple process with you in mind

Step 1

Complete our contact form and give us as much detail about your project, including pictures and measurements.

Step 2

We will discuss your requirements, budget, timescales and any other details via telephone

Step 3

On-site consultation for tailored solutions and expert advice to meet your specific needs.

Step 4

We determine and lock in your start date to ensure your project progresses as smoothly as possible.

Take Your First Step