Most experts in the field agree that the annual cost for managing an acre of water is about the same as the cost for managing an acre of land. Before the introduction of exotic weeds, this would have been much lower, but now, we have problems that require us to to maintain ponds and lakes with the same frequency and intensity with which we would manage our lawns.
If you are a "do it yourself" homeowner who likes to take care of your own lawn, the cost for chemicals and the time involved in caring for your ponds and lakes will be pretty close to that of your lawn, probably a bit more. The chemicals used, and the quantities required for pond and lake care will drive the cost up a bit.
If you hire a lawn service to tend your lawn, the same rules apply.
The average cost according to official state agencies and independent research per acre, per year of moderately intensive lawn care is about $2,600.00.
In a 20 acre lake, with 50% of the lake covered with undesirable vegetation, that would, of course, equal 10 acres of treatment area.
