Benefits of Riparian Buffers Along Waterways
Approximately 6% of South Carolina is covered by water, with 30,000 miles of rivers and streams carving through the state’s rolling hillside, pastoral farmland, historic cities, and saltmarsh-laced...
Category: Water
Blue Carbon
While you may not have heard the term “blue carbon” before, you are likely familiar with it if you have ever visited the South Carolina coastal region. Blue Carbon is the carbon that is stored in...
Aquaponics Vs. Hydroponics: Which is best?
Hydroponics involves growing plants in a soilless medium and essential nutrient water solutions for proper plant growth and development. This form of agriculture has been in use for thousands of...
Shorescaping Freshwater Shorelines
Shorescapes South Carolina is blessed to have an abundance of water resources in the form of rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries, and many residents own properties that adjoin these beautiful...
Aquatic & Shoreline Plant Selection
Aquatic plant selection is extremely important in the development of aquatic pools. You must have some degree of balance between plants and animals in your pool so that the water remains clear and...
Improving Fish Populations in Recreational Ponds
All ponds are unique, including the management strategies and overall goal of the pond owner. For some pond owners, management for increased fish production is at the top of their list. Common...
Herbicide Application: The Label Is the Law
Phone calls from landowners having problems with aquatic weeds are common for Extension Agents every spring. This is especially true following mild winters when temperatures may not have gotten low...
Duckweed and Watermeal
Clemson Extension Agents get many calls each year from landowners having problems with aquatic weeds in their ponds. One of the more common plants we receive calls about is duckweed (Lemna spp.)....
Life Along the Salt Marsh: Troubleshooting Salt Marsh Decline
Introduction The seemingly endless salt marsh horizon, interwoven with tidal creeks and rivers, defines a sense of place in coastal South Carolina. The aesthetic beauty and seasonal variation of the...
The Hyporheic Zone and Streams
You may not have heard of the hyporheic zone (HZ) or be able to see it, but it’s an integral part of our freshwater ecosystems and has a lot to do with keeping our streams healthy! The HZ is a...
Trees for Stormwater Management
It is often said that one of the best things you can do to manage stormwater is to plant a tree. When it rains on natural areas, such as forests or other vegetated landscapes, some rainfall runs off...
Submitting an Algae Sample for Identification
If there is an algae bloom in a pond you own or manage, it’s crucial to know what type of algae is growing to determine an effective response. General types of algae can often be identified by...