Stay up to date with the latest news, insights, and updates from Aquarius Systems. Our blog covers waterway management, aquatic plant control, environmental challenges, equipment innovations, and stories from around the world that impact our lakes, rivers, and communities.
Did you know some animals, like apes, use plants for healing? Humans have long observed these behaviors in the wild and adapted them into medicine. It is just one example of how connected plants, animals, and people really are. A healthy plant animal human chain can make the world a better, healthier place. But as
A recent article in The New York Times detailed the retraction of a once-prominent study that supported the safety of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. The paper had been cited for years as evidence that the herbicide posed minimal risk. But after concerns were raised about conflicts of interest and the integrity of the
For over a decade, lakes across Northern Wisconsin have spent staggering sums of money attempting to control Eurasian water milfoil with herbicides. The Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission, formed in 2007 specifically to tackle this invasive species, is a case in point. Eurasian water milfoil grows aggressively, uprooting native vegetation, disrupting aquatic habitats,
Imagine you’re on your favorite Wisconsin lake at dawn: the water glassy, fish nibbling, kayakers drifting past. Then a wake boat powered up to surf mode slowly glides through, generating a wave tall enough to surf—with cheers blaring and music booming. The wave crashes into your shoreline, rattling your canoe and stirring up sediment. Is
As the harvest season winds down, aquatic weed harvesters across the region are being pulled from the water and stored for winter. For many lake districts, this time of year brings a chance to reflect on the season’s results—and the numbers out of Polk County are impressive. The Apple River Protection and Rehabilitation District (ARPRD)
Lakes across the country are struggling with harmful algal blooms, low oxygen, and declining fish populations. While these problems are often obvious at the surface, many management practices are based on misconceptions that don’t address the real causes. Instead of solving the issue, they often make lakes even sicker. Chemical Treatments: A
In 2023, invasive quagga mussels were discovered in the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. To stop the spread, officials carried out a large-scale chemical treatment using copper-based products. Two years later, the results show just how much damage these treatments can cause—and how little success they’ve had in eliminating the mussels. Chemical Treatments: Lethal
A closer look at how Eurasian milfoil and chemical treatments are harming aquatic life Flint Lake on Valparaiso’s north side is in trouble. Invasive aquatic weeds, especially Eurasian milfoil, have become so overgrown that they’re even interfering with fish population surveys. During a recent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) survey, biologists had to stop two
Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, is an essential resource for the people of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It provides food, clean water, hydroelectric power, and transportation. However, the lake faces a major challenge due to the spread of water hyacinth, an invasive plant that grows quickly and forms thick mats
Wake boats, designed to create large waves for activities like wakeboarding and wakesurfing, have become a contentious issue on Wisconsin lakes. While these boats provide fun and excitement for water sports enthusiasts, they also raise concerns among other lake users and environmental advocates. The main issues with wake boats include: Shoreline Erosion: The large wakes