The 2013 recreational season on Devils Lake saw lower water levels, warmer water temperatures and the worst algae bloom in memory. The Greening of Devils Lake provides a look at the result of these factors.
Please watch this video. If you spent time at the lake this summer it will look all too familiar. If you’ve been absent see what you missed. It’s time to get involved; email us at dlakeoregon@gmail.com to see how you can help.
Filed under Algae Bloom, Water Quality, Water Quality
Water clarity has improved at Blue Lake three years after Metro spent tens of thousands of dollars on algae-combating machines, but the devices may be abetting the spread of troublesome weeds.
“What we’ve found is that the pH has been a little bit worse, the water clarity has been a little bit better, and the toxic-algae problem has been about the same,” said Metro biologist Elaine Stewart.
The regional government and the solar-powered devices’ manufacturer say, however, that it’s still too early to render a verdict on whether the money was well spent.
Matthew Preusch/The OregonianIn 2007, Metro and homeowners on Blue Lake invested in three SolarBee water mixers to try to combat blooms of blue-green algae at the lake east of Portland. The solar-powered machines churn the lake water to limit algae growth.
Metro manages the popular 130-acre park on the lake’s north shore and cooperates with homeowners on the south shore over lake regulations. It split the $150,000 cost for the three SolarBee water circulation devices with the homeowners Continue reading
Filed under Algae Bloom, Invasives, Performance, Scientific Study, Solarbees, Solarbees, Water Quality
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, November 17, 2009 (ENS) – In a decision with national relevance, a federal judge in Tallahassee Monday approved a consent decree that requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set legal limits on excess nutrients that trigger harmful algae blooms in Florida waters.
The EPA agreed to establish numeric water quality criteria for Florida’ lakes and flowing waters by January 14, 2010. The agency has until January 14, 2011, to establish numeric water quality criteria for Florida’s coastal and estuarine waters. The consent decree allows the state to set numeric criteria before these dates as long as they are approved by the EPA.
This green slime on Christopher Point Creek, a St. Johns River tributary, is an algae bloom fueled by excess nutrients. (Photo by Chris Williams courtesy GreenWater Laboratories/CyanoLab)
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit brought by five environmental groups seeking to compel the federal government to set water quality standards for nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in public waters.
In July 2008, the public interest law firm Earthjustice filed suit on behalf of the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, St. John’s Riverkeeper, and the Sierra Club.
The suit challenged an unacceptable decade-long delay by the state and federal governments in setting limits for nutrient pollution.
Speaking from the bench Monday after hearing oral arguments in the case, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said the delay was a matter of serious concern.
In August, the U.S. EPA signed a consent decree, agreeing to set legal limits for nutrients in Florida waters.
But Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services filed a motion to intervene in the case on the polluters’ side.
In his approval of the consent decree, Judge Hinkle rejected the arguments made by polluters who sought to delay cleanup and get out of complying with the Clean Water Act. Continue reading
Filed under Algae Bloom, Cyano Information, Water Quality
The Mission Viejo Dispatch recently referenced the comments of Joel Bleth, President of Solarbees, posted on the No Solarbee website on November 9, related to the water problems on Oso Reservoir. The entire article is posted as follows.
by MissionViejoDispatch.com on November 19, 2009
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the Santa Margarita Water District on November 11 for causing a public nuisance as a result of the numerous complaints received due to odors from Oso Reservoir.
In a 6-page report dated yesterday, the AQMD reviewed its findings regarding the odor and the remediation efforts taken by the Water District. Many residents contacted the AQMD. Complaints included the odor and related coughs, throat irritation, asthma episodes and other symptoms during the period from October 28. Although recognizing the presence of sulphur compounds, including hydrogen sulfides, the report categorized health effects as “temporary:”
Based on ambient air sampling and analysis done in the residential and commercial areas, AQMD believes that although the type and concentration of odorous compounds released from the Reservoir have caused the residents around the Reservoir some discomfort, irritation, nuisance and other temporary symptoms, the health effects should be of a transient or temporary nature and are not considered alarming or a long-term health concern.
Last week the general manager of the Santa Margarita District, John Schatz, told the Dispatch there was concern that new equipment installed in March 2008 may have contributed to problem. Four “Solarbees” were placed in the water then for aeration, and the District wants to investigate whether they contributed to a water quality problem at the bottom of the reservoir. A letter from the President of Solarbees, Joel Bleth, posted the Company’s view of the Oso situation on the No Solarbee website on November 9: Continue reading
Filed under Algae Bloom, Performance, Solarbees, Water Quality
In June of 2008 the Santa Margarita Water District replaced a bubbler aeration system with four SolarBees on Oso Reservoir in Mission Viejo Califorina. The OC Register reported on November 2, 2009 that a “foul odor sniffed by residents of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita since Wednesday”… “The stench is the result of an algae bloom in the Upper Oso Reservoir sparked by Wednesday’s cold weather and high winds, said Dan Ferons, chief engineer for the water district.”
Dead fish line the shore of the the Upper Oso Reservoir - LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY
The water district has taken several steps to bring oxygen levels back to normal and eliminate the odor. Mechanical aeration equipment has been used since Friday to pump air to the bottom of the reservoir. Four solar-powered pumps known as SolarBees have continued to aerate the water.
On Saturday, the water district started pumping fresh water into the lake at the rate of 200 gallons per minute; today, the rate was increased to 1,500 gallons per minute. Two boats were being used today to generate waves in order to spur oxygen intake at the surface. An external pump was also being used today to aerate the water. The water district is also considering use of a mechanical device to pump ozone, whose molecules include three atoms of oxygen, into the lake.
Filed under Algae Bloom, Performance, Solarbees, Water Quality
Blue Lake which has had 3 Solar Bee units installed since 2007 recently had a cyanobacteria bloom that caused a DHS toxin warning. A new property owner on the lake coincidentally called us thinking we had SolarBees on Devils Lake and he wanted to talk about management strategies. Through our conversation it mentioned that in fact a few weeks prior the lake did turn really green, as if green oil had been spilt. He said that it he went waterskiing since, and that it had cleared up. He estimated that it lasted approximately 2 weeks at most. I also solicited information from Joe Eilers at SolarBee who sent this email reply:
Basically, we think the bloom was initiated by a major influx of high- P water. Blue Lake has no surface inlets and loses water from evaporation through the summer. The homeowners like to have Metro request inputs of water from their back-up production wells near the lake. Around the end of August they added about 8% of the lake volume with groundwater containing about 90 ug/L PO4. That coincided with the Anabaena getting going about 10 days later. The in Sept, the lake turned over, releasing another pulse of high-P water. Anyway, we are trying to get the water quality data from Metro so we can better determine the timelines and the lake response. As soon as we have that, I’ll dive into the data and try to sort things out. Joe
Jack Strayer initiated contact with Elaine Stewart, of METRO regarding Blue Lake. She is willing to send their findings once they complete them. I have had two phone attempts at getting a preview of such findings, and anticipate a call back.
Filed under Algae Bloom, Performance, Solarbees, Water Quality
By Lynne Terry, The Oregonian
October 14, 2009, 5:04PM
This is not a good time to go for a brisk swim in Blue Lake east of Portland — and not just because of the weather.
The popular lake on Northeast Marine Drive is contaminated with toxins.
Recent tests show that the lake, which draws 300,000 people a year, has dangerous levels of blue-green algae.
Scott Paskill, manager of the area for Metro, the regional agency that manages part of the lake, said the lake was covered with a scum a few days ago but he said that conditions appear to be improving.
Officials have posted signs around the lake, warning people to stay away from the water and not to fish.
Blue-green algae flourish in warm weather and also when the seasons change, producing toxins that can contaminate fish and the water.
It is dangerous to eat shellfish or crayfish from tainted water, and officials recommend that the fat, skin and organs be removed from other fish before eating.
Contaminated water can irritate the skin as well and cause nausea, diarrhea and even liver damage. Children and pets are especially susceptible.
In August, high blue-green algae levels in Elk Creek in southern Oregon killed as many as four dogs, which suffered convulsions and died quickly after frolicking in the water during visits with their owners.
Paskill is not concerned about that happening at Blue Lake.
“We don’t allow pets in the park,” he said, “and no one is using the park right now.”
A month or two ago, when the weather was warmer, it would have been a different story.
Covering 64 acres, the lake is a popular fishing and swimming spot in summer for Portland-area residents.
Still, about 300 people live in the Fairview neighborhood, about 15 miles from downtown Portland. Paskill said they have been informed about the algae.
“It’s not like it’s the middle of summer,” he said, “but we do have to notify the public.”
For more information, call the state’s harmful algae program at 971-673-0400 or visit this Web page: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/hab.
— Lynne Terry
Filed under Algae Bloom, Performance, Solarbees, Water Quality
Polluted runoff is Wisconsin’s number one water quality problem, degrading or threatening an estimated 90% of inland lakes. Extra phosphorus can wash into our lakes and streams from lawns, farm fields, stormwater and construction sites, roads and other hard surfaces, causing algae blooms, water quality decline, and negative impacts on recreational lake use and lakeshore property values. Phosphorus is the main nutrient that drives eutrophication in most lakes.
The Wisconsin Association of Lakes supports increased funding to implement polluted runoff programs and other policy initiatives that will reduce polluted runoff from agricultural and urban sources. The Association has had several recent successes making substantial change to Wisconsin Law.
The “Clean Lakes bill” (AB 3) passed in the 2009-2010 legislative session which creates a statewide law regulating phosphorus in lawn fertilizer and will prohibit the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus. On May 27th, 2009, a bill (AB-281) was introduced that would reduce one of the most common causes of pollution: phosphorus in household products. Several other changes attempting to reduce phosphorus in Wisconsin lakes have recently happened, read more about the Wisconsin Lake Association polluted runoff polices by following the link. (Read More)
Filed under Algae Bloom, Water Quality
July 28, 2009
The first signs of this year’s blue-green algae bloom began on July 28th. Some surface scum can be found in area that the prevailing wind has concentrated algae in confined areas. You can click on the picture to the right to get an enlarged view that shows the higher concentrations. With the high temperatures in the valley, the air has been still on the lake and large patches of highly concentrated algae can be seen in the various areas of the lake. The majority of the lake apears to have much lower levels with algea present but not highly concentrated. We’ll continue to make visual observations and report results. We have added a new sidebar feature to this website that provides a convient link to the latest DLWID water quality test.
Filed under Algae Bloom, Water Quality
An alert about potentially toxic cyanobacteria on Devils Lake in the run up to the Fourth of July prompted criticism from some lakefront property owners at the’ July 2 Devils Lake Water Improvement District meeting.
Lake Manager Paul Robertson posted yellow alert signs July 1 after noticing an increase in green slime on the lake surface particularly at Regatta Grounds and East Devils Lake State Park.
Similar cyanobacteria blooms last summer and fall produced levels of liver toxin that exceeded state and World Health Organization limits for recreational water use.
Robertson said the yellow alert signs, which warn lake users to stay clear of scummy water, were posted as a precaution in accordance with the district’s cyano-watch program.
Robertson also gave radio interviews in which he warned that water skiers could be at heightened risk of exposure to any toxins produced by the bloom if they breath in vapor when skiing through scummy water.
Lake resident Bud Depweg said Robertson is scaring people away from the lake, “I think that’s wrong,” he said, both businesswise, which doesn’t mean anything, but because so far, in my 34 years [as a lakefront property owner,] I have yet to see anyone get sick because of skiing through this green slime that’s all over the lake.”
Lake resident Larry Brown said Robertson should not be allowed to speak on behalf of the district’s board of directors without authorization.
Board Vice-chair Jack Strayer said Robertson has discretion to speak to the media when he feels it is appropriate.
Robertson said informing the public about potential risks is a key part of the cyano-watch program.
“What’s the point in developing a program if you’re not going to tell people about it?” he said.
The district is scheduled to run toxicity tests on the bloom Thursday, July 9.
Brown also called for the district to change its water sampling methods, saying samples should be taken at set times and at set locations in the middle of the lake, with the collection and analysis done by outside companies.
Speaking before the meeting, Robertson defended the district’s current policy of “incident-based” sampling, which involves testing water quality whenever a bloom occurs.
He said cyanobacteria scum tends to accumulate around the edges of the lake, where children and dogs, who would be more vulnerable to any toxins, are most likely to be at play.
“You really put yourself at risk of underestimating what the levels might be if you only rely on the mid-lake stuff,” he said.
After the meeting, Robertson said the district is working on the logistics of taking mid-lake samples in addition to shoreline samples.
Determining the severity of the lake’s cyanobacteria problem will help decide whether the district will pursue a whole lake circulation project, such as the installation of 20 SolarBee water agitators on the lake surface, in an attempt to deny the bacteria the calm water they need to bloom.
A recent surge of opposition to the SolarBee idea convinced the board to shelve any further action until questions about the cyanobacteria risk and whether the modules have any history of causing boating accidents.
Lake resident Mitchell Moore urged the board to go a step further and pronounce the SolarBee concept dead and take advantage of the public’s newfound interest in the district to move forward on other projects that have widespread support.
Brown said the board and Robinson should focus on arranging events such as water skiing displays, fishing derbies and kayak races to build camaraderie among lakefront property owners.
Filed under Algae Bloom, DLWID, Solarbees, Water Quality
Devils Lake Navigator 