Algae status 7-31-10
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We are making progress in some areas and hitting roadblocks in others. Our ability to keep up with algae growth is dependent on our ability to run spray boats. All four spray boats are operative and operators are working long hours. If you haven’t volunteered but would like to, please call me at 707-998-8280, or email me at themagroup@themagroup.biz. If you have volunteered but have not been contacted, please call or email me.
In some areas, the combination of algae growth in the Keys and the amount of material drifting in from the lake has been so great that the spray boats are ineffective. This is particularly true in the Island Circle area/Shoreview/Blue Heron area. Yesterday Dennis Locke managed a trial of a chemical treatment in that area that looks promising. What remains to be seen is the longer term effectiveness. Longer term success is contingent on deploying booms in the area of the Island RV Park.
For chemical treatments to be fully effective, we will need to block movement of material from the lake into the Keys. We expect to have booms on site within two weeks, and are experimenting with home-made temporary booms in the meantime. One set of booms was deployed across the East channel entrance and was almost immediately taken out by an errant jet ski.
We understand that the situation is particularly frustrating to those in the areas that are the most impacted. We hope that a combination of boom deployment and chemical treatment will alleviate the situation to some extent.
Dennis Locke has been putting in very long hours dealing with this situation. The following is the most recent email sent by Dennis to Lake County Water Resources.
Situation here worsening rapidly.
Horseshoe area at Island Circle/Blue Heron Ct that was cleared Saturday again covered with dense material about 200 yds either side of bridge.
Eight loads algae removed from there today, but only small help. It’s that area that will be treated with GreenClean on Friday. Believe permit application will be submitted tomorrow, your help to expedite would be appreciated.
East entrance canal you saw yesterday was clear this morning, but by afternoon was covered with thick green slime over area 300-400 yards from entrance extending north. From last year’s experience this is probably precursor to mats that will form and begin moving north and into side canals.
Spray boats and harvester can no longer keep up with these two areas.
Booms needed ASAP.