Lake Management in Boise and the Treasure Valley
Community lakes, irrigation fed water and golf course lakes across Ada and Canyon counties, managed from our office in Eagle.
Man made lakes that run on irrigation water
Most lakes in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Kuna and Star are man made, and many are filled with irrigation water from the Boise River system. Canals in the valley usually run from about April to October and then shut off for the winter, so a neighborhood lake can rise, fall and warm up with the irrigation season.
That water brings nutrients and fine sediment from farms, lawns and streets. Add long, hot summer days and shallow edges, and the result is a familiar pattern: string algae in spring, weed beds by early summer and the risk of blue green algae blooms in the hottest weeks.
Whether you call your water a lake or a pond, we start the same way: a Lake Assessment that tests the water, maps plants and sediment and finds what is driving the problem. From there we build a plan around your goals and budget.
What we see
Common problems on Treasure Valley lakes
- Summer algaeString algae mats and blue green blooms that build as the water warms in July and August.
- Weed bedsDense pondweed and invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil, which is on the Idaho noxious weed list.
- Muck and shallow edgesYears of nutrient rich sediment that makes the lake shallower and feeds the next bloom.
- Low oxygenWarm, still water in late summer and long ice cover in winter can both stress or kill fish.
- GeeseResident geese on HOA and park lakes add nutrients and foul shorelines and lawns.
- Water level swingsLakes that depend on canal water can drop quickly when irrigation shuts off in the fall.
What we do in the Treasure Valley
We work with HOAs, property managers, golf courses, cities and irrigation districts across Ada and Canyon counties.
Algae blooms in Ada and Canyon counties
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality runs the state harmful algal bloom program and takes bloom reports at (866) 671-5385. When toxins are above the health guideline, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare posts an advisory on its online map.
Central District Health serves Ada County and Southwest District Health serves Canyon County. See how to recognize a harmful algae bloom.
Talk to an aquatic specialist
Tell us about your lake and your goals, and we will help you plan the next step.