| lakewapogasset.com |
| ... a word from the Association President ... Dave Nelson June 11, 2007 The summer projects are progressing nicely. Our May secchi disk readings were the best in recent memory. Wapogasset was 19 feet and Bear Trap 17 feet. We know that we will have green later when the algae blooms, but the water is very clear now. A new wrinkle that the DNR is testing in a lake in Eau Claire County is curly leaf pond weed, which is very prevalent in that lake. The DNR is trying to eradicate it from that lake. They feel it is a major contributor to the algae problem. The weed is a cold water weed and grows all winter. It matures in late June and dies off and decomposes in the warm water of July. It then releases the nutrients back into the lake. We have large areas of this weed in our lakes. The Light-Up-The-Lake night is scheduled for July 7. The flares we purchase are phosphorus free, so they won't put any more phosphorus in our lakes. We highly suggest that you do not leave the fares unattended when lit. Also, if you put the flares in a coffee can or disposable pie plate, the cleanup will be much easier. Are you missing a large float? If so, call the Y-Camp. One floated in last week. Let's make this a safe and enjoyable summer. ... Dave Nelson |
ABSTRACT of the NALMS Convention November 9-11, 2005
... John Kugler
The NALMS Convention addressed water problems in lakes, reservoirs and streams ... covering
both current and emerging problems. These problems have been grouped into the following
categories:
ALGAE GROWTH: This is a world-wide problem primarily caused by phosphorus in fertilizers.
Ten potential solutions were addressed, of which two require further evaluation.
a) Alum Treatment: This is the current restoration product of choice. It works well in many lakes,
non-toxic, commercially available and approved by the DNR. Unfortunately, alum isn't effective in
all lakes and may lose absorption capacity with age. It was effective in WBT until the Kennedy
dam failure fed 87 years of sediment into our lakes.
b) Dredging & Dewatering: This combines a new patented dewatering system with a floating
hydraulic dredge that withdraws nutrient rich sediment from the lake bottom. The dredge sends
the sediment to the land based dewatering equipment, resulting in dewatered 'semi-dry' solids
and clear water effluent. This is a new process, which may be cost prohibitive; but it warrants
evaluation.
WEED GROWTH: The two prevalent exotic macrophytes are Curley Leaf Pondweed and
Eurasion Milfoil. WBT have Curley Leaf Pondweed and may have a hi-bred Milfoil (hi-bred of
Northern and Eurasion Milfoil).
CARP PROBLEM: Carp are bottom feeders. They root out all weeds ... benificial and exotic.
Unfortunately, after the beneficial weeds are uprooted, the exotics take over. Carp can be
controlled by 'capturing' them in spring when the 'school' near the dam sites. Treatment with
Rotenone will kill them, after which they must be removed. I understand that they make good
fertilizer.
ZEBRA MUSSELS: This isn't one of our problems.
ECONOMIC VALUE: In Lake Delevan, the restoration results were very beneficial to the lake
residents, surrounding businesses and property values. The average property increased
$177,000, while the aggregate property valuation increased at least $100,000,000. On the other
hand, it was conservatively estimated that a degradation of water quality to pre-restoration levels
would have reduced the economic activity by 8% to 13%. In Amery, no action would be severely
detrimental to the lake value, property values, and surrounding community.
PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION for WAPOGASSET BEAR TRAP:
In order to clean up our lakes, a comprehensive restoration plan must be agreed upon, financed
and executed. This would include Algae, Weed and Carp control ... plus elimination of Point
Source Pollution.
Approach: Analytically analyze each problem. Define parameters: feasible solutions:
approximate costs and realistic "chance" of success.
Definitions:
Algae: Two problems: Stringy (springtime) and blue-green (summer-fall). Review current and
historic data ... core and water testing results. Is further testing required? Worthwhile?
Necessary? What volunteer time, equipment and money are required? Grant availability? Out of
pocket costs?
Analyze if dredging would be feasible? Cost? Would sediment contain large amounts of arsenic
or copper? Could sediment be used by local farmers?
Review problems, test results, options, potential success with Barr, key limnologists and WiDNR.
Weeds (exotic): This problem should be defined and analyzed this summer. What are the
causes and possible solutions? What technical knowledge and data are required to solve the
problems? Negative side effects? Volunteers? Grant? Cost?
Carp: This problem coincides with the algae and weed problem ... and should be defined and
analyzed this summer. What technical knowledge and data are required to solve the problems?
Volunteers? Grant? Cost?
Point Source Pollution: Same questions?
PLAN OF ACTION: Summer, 2006
Executive committee: Review current day/historic data, opportunities and questions. What
technical knowledge is 'further' required? Outside help? Volunteers? Grant availability? Cost?
Establish four programs based on 'the'
four problems. Each program should consist of volunteers and a program manager ... with a
general manager to oversee and coordinate the four programs.
... John Kugler
The NALMS Convention addressed water problems in lakes, reservoirs and streams ... covering
both current and emerging problems. These problems have been grouped into the following
categories:
ALGAE GROWTH: This is a world-wide problem primarily caused by phosphorus in fertilizers.
Ten potential solutions were addressed, of which two require further evaluation.
a) Alum Treatment: This is the current restoration product of choice. It works well in many lakes,
non-toxic, commercially available and approved by the DNR. Unfortunately, alum isn't effective in
all lakes and may lose absorption capacity with age. It was effective in WBT until the Kennedy
dam failure fed 87 years of sediment into our lakes.
b) Dredging & Dewatering: This combines a new patented dewatering system with a floating
hydraulic dredge that withdraws nutrient rich sediment from the lake bottom. The dredge sends
the sediment to the land based dewatering equipment, resulting in dewatered 'semi-dry' solids
and clear water effluent. This is a new process, which may be cost prohibitive; but it warrants
evaluation.
WEED GROWTH: The two prevalent exotic macrophytes are Curley Leaf Pondweed and
Eurasion Milfoil. WBT have Curley Leaf Pondweed and may have a hi-bred Milfoil (hi-bred of
Northern and Eurasion Milfoil).
CARP PROBLEM: Carp are bottom feeders. They root out all weeds ... benificial and exotic.
Unfortunately, after the beneficial weeds are uprooted, the exotics take over. Carp can be
controlled by 'capturing' them in spring when the 'school' near the dam sites. Treatment with
Rotenone will kill them, after which they must be removed. I understand that they make good
fertilizer.
ZEBRA MUSSELS: This isn't one of our problems.
ECONOMIC VALUE: In Lake Delevan, the restoration results were very beneficial to the lake
residents, surrounding businesses and property values. The average property increased
$177,000, while the aggregate property valuation increased at least $100,000,000. On the other
hand, it was conservatively estimated that a degradation of water quality to pre-restoration levels
would have reduced the economic activity by 8% to 13%. In Amery, no action would be severely
detrimental to the lake value, property values, and surrounding community.
PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION for WAPOGASSET BEAR TRAP:
In order to clean up our lakes, a comprehensive restoration plan must be agreed upon, financed
and executed. This would include Algae, Weed and Carp control ... plus elimination of Point
Source Pollution.
Approach: Analytically analyze each problem. Define parameters: feasible solutions:
approximate costs and realistic "chance" of success.
Definitions:
Algae: Two problems: Stringy (springtime) and blue-green (summer-fall). Review current and
historic data ... core and water testing results. Is further testing required? Worthwhile?
Necessary? What volunteer time, equipment and money are required? Grant availability? Out of
pocket costs?
Analyze if dredging would be feasible? Cost? Would sediment contain large amounts of arsenic
or copper? Could sediment be used by local farmers?
Review problems, test results, options, potential success with Barr, key limnologists and WiDNR.
Weeds (exotic): This problem should be defined and analyzed this summer. What are the
causes and possible solutions? What technical knowledge and data are required to solve the
problems? Negative side effects? Volunteers? Grant? Cost?
Carp: This problem coincides with the algae and weed problem ... and should be defined and
analyzed this summer. What technical knowledge and data are required to solve the problems?
Volunteers? Grant? Cost?
Point Source Pollution: Same questions?
PLAN OF ACTION: Summer, 2006
Executive committee: Review current day/historic data, opportunities and questions. What
technical knowledge is 'further' required? Outside help? Volunteers? Grant availability? Cost?
Establish four programs based on 'the'
four problems. Each program should consist of volunteers and a program manager ... with a
general manager to oversee and coordinate the four programs.
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