Golf courses frequently feature water hazards, lakes and ponds to adorn the landscape. They add beauty to the course, create tranquility and enhance the golfer’s experience. Many golf course properties strive to achieve recognition and Audubon or Nature Conservancy status. Unfortunately, golf course lakes and ponds can become plagued with algae which creates a distraction or nuisance, and even worse, can harm the landscape and kill wildlife. In addition, the lakes and ponds are often the primary water source for a course’s irrigation system and algae blooms can cause a serious concern for superintendents. Warmer climates and abundant nutrients found in fertilizers, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, contribute to the dangerous spread of algae.

Unfortunately, the use of chemicals has been the traditional solution for many golf courses. While effective, chemicals can harm other forms of life both in and surrounding the lakes and ponds. It also frequently requires continuous applications and can present safety hazards for crews to handle and store. The residential communities surrounding golf courses, as well as the members and guests themselves, often voice negative reactions to the use of algaecides and pesticides. You can learn more about the impact of algae by reading our Primer on Algae and Biofilm.