Benthic Barrier Service
We remove your lake weeds manually, then install professional benthic barriers that block remaining growth and prevent future weeds—delivering instant, clear swim and boat areas.
What Are Benthic Barriers?
Benthic barriers are heavy-duty, gas-permeable mats placed on the lake bottom. They block sunlight using the "snowshoe" principle—distributing weight evenly to create a firm, stable surface. Without light, aquatic weeds cannot grow.
As authorized dealers for LakeMat and Lake Bottom Blanket, we use commercial-grade nonwoven polypropylene fabric designed specifically for aquatic environments. The material is gas-permeable, environmentally safe, and creates instant clear water.
We can cover any size area—from small dock zones to expansive waterfront properties.
Learn about our complete process on our How It Works page, or check our FAQ for common questions. All installations are fully permitted.
Our Method
Complete service from assessment to removal
1. Assess
Measure your waterfront, evaluate bottom conditions, and create a custom plan.
2. Remove Vegetation
If necessary, manually remove most existing weeds to prepare the lake bottom.
3. Install Barriers
Secure barriers using weighted systems. Instant clear swim and boat areas.
4. Maintain
Clean and monitor barriers to ensure optimal performance throughout the season.
5. Remove
Remove barriers after they've killed the plants and before they become part of the lake ecosystem.
Best Time for Installation
We recommend installing benthic barriers after weed removal or in early spring before large infestations take over (ideally when water temperatures are below 60°F).
Don't Cover Heavy Vegetation
Installing barriers over dense weed growth causes serious problems. Decomposing vegetation produces excessive gas that cannot escape fast enough, resulting in:
- •Bubbling and ballooning from gas buildup
- •Barrier displacement and instability
- •Foul odors and oxygen depletion
This is why we remove most vegetation first. The barriers then handle remaining growth and prevent future infestations.
Why Use Benthic Barriers?
Instant Clear Water
Immediate results—swim and boat the day they're installed.
Safety-First
Environmentally safe for fish, wildlife, and swimmers.
Long-Term Prevention
Blocks hydrilla tubers and fragments from establishing new growth.
Any Size Area
From small personal docks to expansive waterfront estates.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about benthic barriers
What are benthic barriers?
Benthic barriers are heavy-duty, gas-permeable mats placed on the lake bottom that block sunlight using the "snowshoe" principle. They distribute weight evenly to create a firm, stable surface. Without light, aquatic weeds cannot grow. Our commercial-grade barriers are made from nonwoven polypropylene fabric designed specifically for aquatic environments and are environmentally safe.
How are they installed?
We install temporary benthic barriers that are not meant to become a part of the bottom of the lake. Our barriers have a metal frame in most cases, allowing them to be removed or moved around the property/lake bed. This ensures they do not become lake trash.
Do they require maintenance?
They require regular cleaning, which we provide and will include in our estimate with installation. You can clean them yourself, but they must be swept/brushed off every month or so to keep debris and sand/muck from getting on them and growing weeds on top of the barrier.
What if I don't clean them?
If left alone, the barriers will become part of the lake bottom. They'll get covered in sand/muck, and new weeds will grow on top of the mat.
Can we step on them?
Yes! A huge benefit of the benthic barriers is that they create a soft, clean beach surface that kids and adults can walk and play on.
Can they help with mucky, nasty lake bottoms?
Yes! One of our products we install is made by LakeMat™ called the MuckMat™ and it has a lattice/grid structure underneath to support the weed cover material that allows it to be placed on top of mucky lake bottoms and create a soft, clean beach that you won't sink down into.
Can benthic barriers be installed anywhere on the lake?
Our temporary benthic barriers cannot be installed anywhere on the lake, mostly because of water flow and recreational boat traffic issues. If you are in an area where boats drop anchor often it's not a good idea, and if you are in the middle of a channel it's not a great idea. The barriers are not meant to be staked down, only weighed down so they may be moved from time to time to adjust for new vegetation growing patterns.
What if I cover my lakefront in barriers and have a perfect weed-free beach, but my neighbor's pesky weeds grow into my area?
This is a problem we face with Hydrilla's extreme and uncontrolled growth cycle. We can remove any weeds encroaching into your property line and can of course help out neighbors by installing barriers too. The more area of the lake is covered by barriers, the more effective grass carp will be in eating what's left.
Ready for Clear Water?
Contact us today for a professional consultation and personalized solution for your waterfront property.