Man in a blue jacket adjusting components on a large professional drone indoors.

Aquatic Drone Surveying and Treatment Services

PLM’s aquatic drone program combines two tools in one streamlined approach:

A survey drone to document conditions, map problem areas, and guide next steps
A treatment drone built to apply targeted control in hard-to-reach zones like shallow coves, backwater pockets, canal edges, tight shoreline sections, and other areas where access is limited

This approach helps eliminate guesswork, improves efficiency, and supports long-term management by treating the right areas the right way.

Our Aquatic Drone Process

1. Site Evaluation & Goal Review

We learn what you’re seeing, what’s changed, and what the project needs to accomplish, access, navigation, invasive control, shoreline improvement, or stakeholder documentation.

2. Decide to Survey, Treat, or Both

‍Survey: map and document conditions.
‍Treatment: precision application where you already know the problem is.

3. Survey & Target Area Identification

If your priority is clarity before action, we use the survey drone to pinpoint growth hot spots, define priority zones, and support next steps, especially in areas that are difficult to view or cover consistently.

4. Treatment Strategy

We deploy the treatment drone to apply control where traditional equipment is inefficient or can’t safely access, focused on the zones that need it most.

6. Documentation & Next-Step Recommendations

After the work is complete, we document what was done and recommend follow-up actions when needed (monitoring, additional spot work, harvesting, or long-term planning).

Get In Touch

Service Areas

Markets We Serve

PLM provides drone services for a wide range of public and private clients, including:

Watershed Districts

Lake Improvement Boards

Federal, State, and Local Municipalities

Lake Associations

Golf Courses

Private Lake and Pond Owners

Property Management Companies

No matter the size or complexity of the waterbody, PLM delivers consistent, professional services you can trust.

Aerial view of a small island with trees and bushes surrounded by shallow water and a pathway on the upper left side.

Industry-Certified Specialists

Backed by trained specialists and certified applicators who meet strict regulatory and safety standards.

Environmental Organization Members

Engaged with APMS, MAPMS, MLSA, NALMS, AERF, and other industry groups. Learn more about our memberships and certifications here.

State-Licensed Professionals

Proud members of RISE, the Better Business Bureau, and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

Person operating boat throttle next to a mounted Lowrance fish finder screen on a lake.

Man wearing white protective Tyvek suit, blue gloves, and a hat with earmuffs, sitting on an airboat near water with trees and houses in the background.

Three men on a blue airboat on a lake surrounded by forest, two men in white protective suits and one holding a yellow paddle.

Woman wearing sunglasses and a PLM shirt steering a boat on a lake with green trees in the background.

Man operating a blue and white aquatic weed harvester on a lake surrounded by trees.

Ready to get started?

Our drone services are only offered in Michigan at this time. Speak with a PLM aquatic specialist to take the first step toward effective, long-term aquatic management.

Aquatic Drone Surveys & Treatment