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2009 Weed Harvesting Recap: Submitted by Dennis Luce
Well folks, we've had a strange year on the lake. The weed harvesting has had its usual ups and downs, but we got 80% of the lake under control early. We had a conveyor mat on the cutter head end develop a tear requiring a five day delay for repairs and lately a fuel line leak in a pressurized hose. Again, a five day delay for repairs. The biggest part of the delay was getting the specialized parts in. This latest delay was not a major problem because it occurred at a time when we were on limited work schedules.
As a matter of fact, the whole program has been scaled back due to lack of weed problems in most of the lake. We started the harvesting season with no major weed problem in the North Pond and a big problem in the South Pond. We had a crew of three operators for about four weeks, but as the weeds came under control early, we scaled back to two and then just myself for the last month. Paradise Bay was its usual headache, but the ongoing problem has been in the southernmost section of the South Pond.
There has been a shift in the type of weed we're seeing. The usual culprit, eurasian milfoil, is still with us but in much reduced amount, except for the South end. The new troublemaker is an older weed species that for some reason has become more prevalent. Along with this strangeness is the fact that the algae bloom that we normally see in the middle of July never showed up until late August.
At this time of the year, I look to continue work for the next two weeks and then pull the plug for the year. All told we have had a very good year. I wish to thank the Watershed Foundation Weed Harvesting committee and you as lake stewards for your support and backing.
Sincerely, Dennis Luce: Program Manager
NOTE by editor: The Weed Harvester is owned & operated solely by the FLWF. We are 100% responsible for the payments, maintenance and upkeep. Maintaining the lake without the harvester would be difficult. If you are not a member of the FLWF please reconsider, and please consider donating extra money towards the weed harvester.C-Slap Water Testing &: Algae Bloom Sampling
by Jeff Homer
Hopefully many of you noticed again how clear the lake was this summer. Because of an unusually cool and rainy summer the lake remained pretty much free of weeds and the clarity was good almost all summer. Algae blooms did not appear until late August. I have taken a total of eight water samples (max. allowed) and have taken a total of two algae bloom samples. NOTE: This is the first time that samples have been taken for Algae Toxins. At this time we are not certain when the results will be released for those samples.
The overall lake condition in 2009 was better than the summer of 2008 which was a great improvement over the "weedy" 2007 summer. With the right weather conditions this year (more rain) and with a great effort and coordination from Dennis Luce and the weed harvesting crew, the lake was in great shape for all uses. By harvesting every summer we are removing more nutrients out of the lake that cause excessive weed growth.
The results of the eight samples taken in 2009 will not be available until January/February 2010. The full report, when available, can be found at www.nysfola.org.Click on "NY State List" Chautauqua
County; FLWF; scroll down to 2007 C-Slap Report.