LRML Water Quality Committee

Joint Water Quality Committee Fall 2021 communication is available here.

On Thursday the results came in for the Toxin Tests done on Tuesday Aug 17th. The results showed a decrease in toxins for the 2 lakes tested. This was surprising because we were expecting an increase in the toxin levels due to the slight drop in water clarity.

Results are as follows:

Marl Lake (1st lake) 2.34 µg/L (down from 4.51 µg/L on Aug. 3)
Lake Rosalind (2nd lake) 4.70 µg/L (down from 7.66 µg/L on Aug. 3)

Yesterday (Friday Aug 20th) the Algae ID and Numbers Report from samples taken on Aug 3rd arrived with clues as to why there was a decrease in toxin numbers.

The Algae ID showed a very high number of a beneficial Green Algae of the genus Chlorella in both lakes sampled. If you do a search for Chlorella you will find that this algae is used as a nutritional supplement with many benefits for humans. Green Algae (which includes Chlorella) is the basis for the food chain in our lakes feeding the different levels of organisms like other plankton, young fish, crayfish etc. The Green Algae is also consumed by Zebra Mussels in huge amounts (Zebra Mussels do not consume Blue-Green Algae).

When the numbers were crunched from the report it showed the following for the samples taken Aug 3rd.

Marl Lake (1st Lake) – There was a total of 7700 cells/mL in the sample.
Blue -Green Algae- 4 types combining for 4711 cells/mL or 61% of the sample
Green Algae- 6 types combining for 2954 cells/mL, or 38% of the sample (Chlorella was 2800 cells/mL of this total)
The remaining 1% were some Diatoms and Protists (all beneficial). This is the first time we see a decrease in the Blue-Green algae below 90% for Marl Lake since the Zebra Mussel invasion.

Lake Rosalind (1st Lake) – There was a total of 25000 cells/mL in the sample.
Blue-Green Algae- 5 types combining for 6670 cells/mL, or 27% of the sample
Green Algae- 7 types combining for 17629 cells/mL, or 72% of the sample (Chlorella was 17000 cells/mL of this total)
The remaining 1% were some Diatoms and Protists (all beneficial). This is the first time we see that the B-G Algae are not the dominant algae present in the lakes.
One question still remains: What is causing the high numbers of Green Algae????

Conclusions
From the Algae ID and Numbers report we can see that there are definitely 2 blooms occurring in the lakes (B-G and Green). There is also a very strong likelihood that the Green Algae has out competed the Blue-Green Algae since the Algae ID of Aug 3. This would explain the decrease in toxin levels on the Aug 17 toxin report for both lakes.

Chlorella (the main genus of the Green Algae bloom) does not form scums but it does give the water a greenish colour. The surface scums that are present on the calm mornings and days are still the B-G algae (floating to the surface at night) and need to be avoided when swimming.

The problem with any bloom, or blooms in our case, is that if it grows too fast with the hot weather and then crashes it can create an oxygen deficit in the lake causing fish kills and strong odours. This is something that has never happened in our lakes and we hope it never does!

The Water Quality Committee will continue to monitor toxin levels and report back to you with the results as the summer winds down.

So in this very strange year you get to watch the “Battle of the 2 Algae” right from your own dock ... Blue-Green (boooo! ) vs Green (the good guys)

Hey, and do not forget, the good news is that the toxin numbers went down!

Rick Kalte

The water test results and communications are available here.

Hello to all!

Over the past couple of weeks, residents have been noticing an increase in green surface scums and a decrease in water clarity. This seems to change on a daily basis with some shorelines having rather extensive scums while others are clear.

It appears that Blue Green Algae is on the increase and is most noticeable during calm conditions.

When these scums begin to appear, the LRML Water Quality Committee sends forward the following reminders of precautions so that everyone stays safe and healthy.

1. Check swim areas before using or allowing pets to drink from the water- especially after a calm night when the B-G algae scums can collect along some shorelines and coves. Do not swim or let pets drink from a visible scum.

2. Check and change water filters often if taking water from the lake. The water is not as clear as it was and filters will load up.

The team of "water testers" usually begin testing for toxins from B-G algae when/if the water clarity falls below 3m. You may notice some individuals on the lake in the next few days using a secchi disk that is used to measure water transparency or turbidity.

Once again, we want to send a note of thanks to the volunteers who dedicate endless hours gathering the resources for water testing, completing the tests as required, preparing the samples for analysis and ensuring that the results are communicated to residents in a timely manner.

Another note of thanks is extended to the volunteers who assisted with the recent weed cutting throughout the third channel and in various areas of the lake. The weeds are extensive this year and appear to be expanding throughout the lake. These weeds are invasive and decrease the health of the lake. There will be a need in the near future for more volunteers to assist with further cutting. If you are willing to help out, please send your name to Scott Miller by text at 519-616-1037 or by email at sdmiller415@gmail.com.

Swimmers Itch is still being reported and will continue until we can get the goose population down. If goose droppings are on a raft or float, please do not sweep into the water. Swimmers should continue to use a waterproof lotion before swimming and do a vigorous drying off when leaving the water.

There is little that can be done about some of the factors that influence our water quality……weather (climate change) and how Zebra Mussels influence the growth of B-G Algae BUT we can each do our own part to help to reduce unwanted nutrients and chemicals.

Thanks to all those who adhere to the by-law banning the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. As well, we thank those that take the time to read labels carefully on cleaning products to make certain that they are free from harsh and harmful chemicals. When these chemicals are not used the nutrient loading of the lake is reduced and the natural systems of the lake can work to help cleanse the lake. When regular septic maintenance and pumping is added to the chemical free practices it ensures that our lake can be enjoyed for generations to come.

LRML Water Quality Committee

The LRML Water Quality Committee communication is available here.

LRML Water Quality Committee Spring 2021 communication is available here.

The results came in for the October samples collected on Tuesday October 13, 2020. We only tested the two lakes that were slightly over the Drinking Water Standard of 1.5µg/L taken on September 15th . (The first lakes on Marl and Rosalind)

The results are good, and both the lakes were 25% of the values of the September sampling.

This was expected as the clarity in ML-1 was at 8.1m when testing on Oct 13. ( I believe Rosalind was similar )

ML-1 was at 0.40µg/L compared to 1.55ug/L in September
LR-1 was at 0.45µg/L compared to 2.12ug/L in September

Note: Canadian Drinking Water Standard is 1.5µg/L and the Recreational Standard is 20.0µg/L

We are attaching the toxin report from the Sept 15 sampling. It is interesting that the Lake Rosalind second lake had the lowest toxin levels of the 4 lakes tested. Last year it had the highest toxin levels when tested in October. The toxin levels decreased going downstream through the lakes in October 2019. It is also interesting that LR 2 had the highest concentration of biochar bags of all the lakes...hmmmmmm???

We have sent samples of the biochar through our distributor from 3 bags to a lab to be analyzed for total phosphorus which is from soluble and particulates. These results will be used to help determine the number of biochar bags in 2021, if we decide to continue with this experimental program.

LRMLWQC

September's Microcystin water test results are available here.
October's Microcystin water test results are available here.

LRML Water Quality Committee Spring 2020 communication is available here.

October's communication and water test results are available here.

Toxin report, Communication #7 available here.

LRML Joint Water Quality Committee, Communication #5 available here.

Water quality observations, communication #4 available here.

LRML Joint Water Quality Committee, Communication #3 available here.

LRML Joint Water Quality Committee, Communication #2 available here.

LRML Joint Water Quality Committee, Communication #1 available here.