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Course Details
Course Name: Lake Management
Course Code: EW0301WA26
Date: November 12-14, 2025
Time: 8:30 am – 1:00 pm EST (Log-in time: 8:15 am EST)
Location: Online
Format: Live, instructor-led
Registration Fee: $725 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $650 per person (expires October 29, 2025)
Registration Closes: November 11, 2025
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
Hot Topic: Harmful Algae Blooms
Residents statewide have felt the recreational and economic impacts caused by Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). What occurred that triggered intense blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) growth and the production of the cyanotoxins linked to human and pet health problems? How is the state tracking such blooms and what can we do to protect our lakes and reservoirs from experiencing a HAB? Learn this and much more in the Rutgers Lake Management Course this November!
If you want your lake and watershed management efforts to be successful, you need a technically sound foundation. This course will give you the training you need to properly investigate and diagnose lake quality problems and to develop and implement cost-effective restoration measures.
Throughout the course, you will learn how to evaluate, protect, manage, and restore your pond, lake, or reservoir. You will receive detailed instructions, including numerous case-study examples, of commonly implemented lake and pond restoration and management techniques. The interactive nature of the course will provide attendees with the opportunity to discuss the specific issues and problems impacting the condition of their waterbody, whether that be a small pond, large lake, drinking water reservoir, or fishing lake.
Featured Topics
- Overview of Ecology of Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs
- How to Design and Get the Most Out of a Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Implementation of a Lake Restoration Plan
- Identification of Invasive Aquatic Weeds and Nuisance Algae
- Harmful Algae Blooms: Identifying, Preventing, and Mitigating HABs
- IPM Strategies: Proper Selection and Use of Algaecide and Herbicides
- IPM Approach to the Integration of Pesticide Alternative Physical, Mechanical, Biological Techniques in the Control and Management of Algae and Aquatic Weeds
- Design and Implementation of a Dredging Project
- Aeration System Alternatives
- Floating Wetland Islands
- Selection and Application of Nutrient Inactivants (Alum PACl and PhosLock)
- Aquascaping Your Shoreline to Increase Resiliency, Habitat Quality, and Aesthetics
- Maximizing Your Recreational Fishery
- Management Strategies for Controlling Canada Geese
Learner Objectives
Upon completion of the course, attendees will be able to evaluate small ponds and lakes and diagnose existing or potential future water quality issues. Following analysis, they will also be able to develop and implement cost-effective restoration measures to maintain water quality and/or restore quality to an acceptable level.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you are a lake manager or a lake resident, an ecologist or an engineer, this course is for you! Past participants have included:
- Commercial Pesticide Applicators
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Geologists
- Farm Supervisors
- Grounds Supervisors
- Lake Managers
- Park Directors
- Project Managers
- Public Works Directors
- Water Plant Operators
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Stephen J. Souza
Dr. Stephen J. Souza is the owner of Clean Waters Consulting, LLC. He has more than 35 years of project experience managing and restoring lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Dr. Souza received his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, his M.S. from Rutgers University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Souza is the Founder of Princeton Hydro, LLC and served as the company’s President until his recent retirement from Princeton Hydro in 2019.
Dr. Souza has served as an instructor and course coordinator for the Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education for more than 25 years. He is an Adjunct Professor at Temple University and also conducts professional continuing education courses at Montclair State University.
Dr. Souza is a past president of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), as well as the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS). He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). Dr. Souza’s achievements include the NJ-American Water Resources Association Peter J. Homack Award (2012), the NALMS Lake Management Success Story Award (2017), and the NYS Federation of Lake Associations Lake Tear of the Clouds Award (2018). He is a frequent guest speaker for the NJ Coalition of Lake Associations, as well as NJDEP, NYSDEC, and other entities dedicated to the protection, restoration, and management of water resources.
Student Reviews
“There was an incredible amount of information presented. It was a great overview of all aspects of lake management.”
– Past Participant
“Tons of helpful information, especially the introductory section and the parts about how to treat HABs.”
– Past Participant
On instructor Dr. Stephen Souza: “Great presentation. Well organized and exceptional knowledge of subject matter.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The Lake Management course is approved for 1.2 Rutgers CEUs (12 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations.
Delaware
DE Pesticide Applicators: 4 credits in 5A
Maryland
MD Pesticide Applicators: 8 credits in Category 5 Aquatic
New Jersey
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5 Technical, 3 Management, 2 Government Contact Hours
NJ Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators: 12 TCHs (Approval #01-100901-30)
NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). Participants who complete this course will be awarded 12.75 CEs.
NJ Pesticide Applicators: Day 1 and 2 is 7 units a day in Category 5; Day 3 is 8 units in CORE
NJ Professional Engineers: 12 Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) Credits
New York
NY Landscape Architects: 14 hours CL
NY Pesticide Applicators: 5.25 credits in Category 5A ( Day 1 is 1.75 credits and Day 2 is 3.5 credits)
NY Professional Engineers/Land Surveyors: 11 PDHs
NY Professional Geologists Professional Development Hours: 11 Contact Hours.
Pennsylvania
PA Pesticide Applicators: 4 credits in 09, 18, and 23
National
Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM): 10.5 CECs for attendance in all 3 days or 3.5 CECs per day
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA): 1.30 Education Points
North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Certified Lake Manager/Certified Lake Professional Program: 1.2 CEUs
The Wildlife Society: Pending
Course Requirements and Policies
Technology Requirements
This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.
Equipment you will need to access this training:
- Laptop or desktop computers are required for this class.
- Webcams are required if earning NJ Pesticide credits.
- Speakers and microphone are not necessary as a call-in option is available.
Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Photo ID Requirement
Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.
- You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
- The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
- After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $100 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Lake Management, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Suzanne Hills
848-932-7234
suzanne.hills@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Amy Smith
848-932-7764
amy.smith70@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
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